Jakarta, Indonesia – A growing controversy has erupted across Indonesia after videos went viral showing monkeys working in coffee shops — serving drinks, carrying trays, fetching cups, and even wiping down tables.
The footage, which spread rapidly on social media, shows the primates dressed in tiny aprons and caps, performing tasks usually handled by human baristas and servers. Some customers laughed and filmed the spectacle, while others expressed shock and concern.
Owners Defend the Practice
Several café owners defended themselves against criticism, claiming the monkeys had been “rescued from zoos and sanctuaries” and that working in their coffee shops was “a healthy, stimulating activity” that prevented the animals from “languishing in cages.” One café owner even insisted the monkeys were treated “like family members.”
Public Outrage
Animal rights organizations and online activists strongly disagreed. They argue the practice is nothing short of exploitation — forcing highly intelligent, social animals to perform humiliating tasks for entertainment and profit.
International watchdogs are now calling for investigations into the treatment of these monkeys and warning that this could set a dangerous precedent in normalizing animal labor in commercial businesses.
A Symbol of Modern Anxiety
Beyond the animal rights debate, the story has struck a nerve with young Indonesians and global audiences alike. One civilian in Jakarta quipped:
“My first job got replaced by AI, now it’s a monkey.”
