Impact of Pandemi on Lemang Traders

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 15 views

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on various levels of society, including street vendors. One example is Lemang traders in Tebing Tinggi City, Rambutan District. Their economy, which has been classified as low, is getting worse due to the pandemic, so they have to fight hard to survive. This study aims to reveal the survival strategy carried out by Lemang traders in Tebing Tinggi during the pandemic period.

Background of the Study

Lemang traders in Tebing Tinggi City, Rambutan District, are among the many street vendors who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has led to government policies that limit social interaction and community mobility, causing a drastic decline in buyers and demand for lemang. As a result, their income has fallen sharply, while expenditure for the needs of life continues to increase. This condition even makes some traders wrapped in debt.

Impact of Pandemi on Lemang Traders

The results of this study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on Lemang traders in Rambutan District. The government policies that limit social interaction and community mobility have caused a drastic decline in buyers and demand for lemang. As a result, their income has fallen sharply, while expenditure for the needs of life continues to increase. This condition even makes some traders wrapped in debt.

Economic Impact

The pandemic has had a significant economic impact on Lemang traders. The decline in demand for lemang has led to a sharp decrease in income, making it difficult for traders to meet their daily expenses. This has resulted in some traders being wrapped in debt, which can have long-term consequences for their financial stability.

Social Impact

The pandemic has also had a significant social impact on Lemang traders. The government policies that limit social interaction and community mobility have caused traders to become isolated and disconnected from their communities. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression, which can have negative effects on their mental health.

Smart Strategy to Survive

Responding to a difficult situation, Lemang traders in Tebing Tinggi apply a variety of strategies to survive, which can be categorized into three:

Active Strategy

Lemang traders actively involve family members in running a business. They also diversify work by finding additional sources of income, such as selling snacks or opening other services. This strategy shows the unyielding spirit and efforts to increase their income.

Involving Family Members

Involving family members in running a business is a key strategy for Lemang traders. This allows them to share the workload and increase their income. By involving family members, traders can also reduce their reliance on a single source of income, making them more resilient to economic shocks.

Diversifying Work

Diversifying work is another key strategy for Lemang traders. By finding additional sources of income, traders can increase their income and reduce their reliance on a single source of income. This can also help traders to adapt to changing market conditions and stay ahead of the competition.

Passive Strategy

Reducing expenditure is an important strategy for surviving. Lemang traders reduce the consumption of food and drinks by eating simple foods such as instant noodles, tofu, tempeh, and eggs. They also limit the purchase of new clothing and reduce social activities that require costs. This strategy shows the adaptation of traders to adjust to limited financial conditions.

Reducing Expenditure

Reducing expenditure is a key strategy for Lemang traders. By reducing their consumption of food and drinks, traders can save money and increase their income. This can also help traders to reduce their reliance on a single source of income and make them more resilient to economic shocks.

Limiting Social Activities

Limiting social activities is another key strategy for Lemang traders. By reducing their social activities, traders can save money and increase their income. This can also help traders to reduce their reliance on a single source of income and make them more resilient to economic shocks.

Network Strategy

Lemang traders use their social networks to get financial assistance. They owe the agents, family, and friends when they need urgent funds. In addition, they use government assistance programs such as BLT to meet the needs of daily life. This strategy shows the importance of social relations and the role of government in easing the burden on society.

Using Social Networks

Using social networks is a key strategy for Lemang traders. By borrowing money from agents, family, and friends, traders can get financial assistance when they need it. This can also help traders to reduce their reliance on a single source of income and make them more resilient to economic shocks.

Using Government Assistance Programs

Using government assistance programs such as BLT is another key strategy for Lemang traders. By using these programs, traders can get financial assistance to meet their daily needs. This can also help traders to reduce their reliance on a single source of income and make them more resilient to economic shocks.

Analysis and Reflection

The survival strategy carried out by Lemang traders on Tebing Tinggi shows their tenacity and fighting power in dealing with difficult times. They creatively utilize existing resources and build social networks to help them survive.

This research also reminds us of the importance of the role of government in supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the pandemic period. The right-targeted assistance and policy program can help MSME actors to stay and rise again.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lemang traders on Tebing Tinggi have shown a concrete example of how they can survive in the midst of Pandemi by implementing a creative and adaptive strategy. Their story inspired us to continue to fight and be optimistic in facing difficult times.

Implications for Policy-Makers

This study has implications for policy-makers who are responsible for supporting MSMEs during the pandemic period. The study highlights the importance of providing targeted assistance and policy programs to help MSME actors to stay and rise again.

Implications for Traders

This study also has implications for traders who are struggling to survive during the pandemic period. The study highlights the importance of implementing creative and adaptive strategies to survive, such as involving family members, diversifying work, reducing expenditure, using social networks, and using government assistance programs.

Future Research Directions

This study suggests several future research directions, including:

Investigating the impact of the pandemic on other types of MSMEs
Examining the effectiveness of different policy programs in supporting MSMEs
Investigating the role of social networks in supporting MSMEs

By exploring these research directions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by MSMEs during the pandemic period and develop more effective strategies to support them.

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on various levels of society, including street vendors. One example is Lemang traders in Tebing Tinggi City, Rambutan District. Their economy, which has been classified as low, is getting worse due to the pandemic, so they have to fight hard to survive. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about the survival strategy carried out by Lemang traders during the pandemic period.

Q: What is the impact of the pandemic on Lemang traders?

A: The pandemic has had a significant impact on Lemang traders. The government policies that limit social interaction and community mobility have caused a drastic decline in buyers and demand for lemang. As a result, their income has fallen sharply, while expenditure for the needs of life continues to increase.

Q: What are the strategies used by Lemang traders to survive during the pandemic period?

A: Lemang traders use a variety of strategies to survive, which can be categorized into three:

Active strategy: Involving family members in running a business, diversifying work by finding additional sources of income, such as selling snacks or opening other services.
Passive strategy: Reducing expenditure by eating simple foods, limiting the purchase of new clothing, and reducing social activities that require costs.
Network strategy: Using social networks to get financial assistance, such as borrowing money from agents, family, and friends, and using government assistance programs such as BLT to meet the needs of daily life.

Q: How do Lemang traders involve family members in running a business?

A: Lemang traders involve family members in running a business by sharing the workload and increasing their income. By involving family members, traders can also reduce their reliance on a single source of income, making them more resilient to economic shocks.

Q: What are the benefits of diversifying work for Lemang traders?

A: Diversifying work is beneficial for Lemang traders as it allows them to increase their income and reduce their reliance on a single source of income. This can also help traders to adapt to changing market conditions and stay ahead of the competition.

Q: How do Lemang traders reduce expenditure to survive during the pandemic period?

A: Lemang traders reduce expenditure by eating simple foods, limiting the purchase of new clothing, and reducing social activities that require costs. This strategy shows the adaptation of traders to adjust to limited financial conditions.

Q: What is the role of social networks in supporting Lemang traders during the pandemic period?

A: Social networks play a crucial role in supporting Lemang traders during the pandemic period. By borrowing money from agents, family, and friends, traders can get financial assistance when they need it. This can also help traders to reduce their reliance on a single source of income and make them more resilient to economic shocks.

Q: What is the importance of government assistance programs in supporting Lemang traders during the pandemic period?

A: Government assistance programs, such as BLT, are important in supporting Lemang traders during the pandemic period. By using these programs, traders can get financial assistance to meet their daily needs. This can also help traders to reduce their reliance on a single source of income and make them more resilient to economic shocks.

Q: What are the implications of this study for policy-makers?

A: This study has implications for policy-makers who are responsible for supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the pandemic period. The study highlights the importance of providing targeted assistance and policy programs to help MSME actors to stay and rise again.

Q: What are the implications of this study for traders?

A: This study also has implications for traders who are struggling to survive during the pandemic period. The study highlights the importance of implementing creative and adaptive strategies to survive, such as involving family members, diversifying work, reducing expenditure, using social networks, and using government assistance programs.

Q: What are the future research directions suggested by this study?

A: This study suggests several future research directions, including:

Investigating the impact of the pandemic on other types of MSMEs
Examining the effectiveness of different policy programs in supporting MSMEs
Investigating the role of social networks in supporting MSMEs

By exploring these research directions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by MSMEs during the pandemic period and develop more effective strategies to support them.