Bandung workers get 9.6 percent raise<\/p>\n
Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post\/Bandung<\/p>\n
Despite workers' demand for a 100-percent salary raise following
\nthe skyrocketing prices of basic necessities due to the fuel
\nprice hikes, the West Java administration did not bow to the
\ndemand, raising workers' minimum wage by less than 10 percent.<\/p>\n
West Java provincial administration spokesman, Yanto
\nSubiyanto, said on Monday that a decree for the 2006 minimum wage
\nwas signed by Governor Danny Setiawan on Oct. 28 after receiving
\nthe recommendation from the West Java Wage Council. It will be
\neffective on Jan. 1, 2006.<\/p>\n
In the decree, it cites the new minimum wage in the province
\nat Rp 447,654 (US$44,76) per month, or a 9.6 percent raise from
\nthe previous wage of Rp 408,260 in 2005. The increase is below
\nthe inflation rate between January and October this year (15.65
\npercent).<\/p>\n
\"The decision on the new minimum wage is quite consistent with
\nthe recommendation from the West Java Wage Council, comprising
\nrepresentatives from the associations of employers, experts,
\nlabor unions and the government (manpower office),\" Yanto said on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
He said that unlike the 2005 minimum wage, which was based on
\nsurvey of 43 basic necessities, the 2006 wage was based on a
\nsurvey toward 46 basic necessities to ensure decent living in the
\nprovince's municipalities and regencies.<\/p>\n
The new minimum wage, he added, also considered economic
\ngrowth and worker productivity.<\/p>\n
The new wage, which was far below the workers' expectations,
\nwas immediately questioned by labor activists.<\/p>\n
\"When was the survey held? Before or after the fuel price
\nincreases? How come the amount is so low,\" asked Nyoman Ngidep,
\nchairman of National Workers Union in West Java.<\/p>\n
Based on the union's survey of living costs after the fuel
\nprice increases, workers -- who live outside Bandung city where
\nprices are relatively cheaper compared to those in the provincial
\ncapital -- have to spend up to Rp 642,000, including for meals,
\ntransportation and basic necessities.<\/p>\n
Nyoman predicted the \"inhumane\" new minimum wage would prompt
\na heated response from eight million workers at the nearly 20,000
\ncompanies in the province, upon their return from the Idul Fitri
\nholiday.<\/p>\n
Moreover, he said, the new wage would be used as a reference
\nfor the province's municipal and regency administrations to set
\nminimum wages in their respective areas.<\/p>\n
He also questioned the independence of the council and alleged
\nthat they put businesspeoples' interests higher than workers,
\nwith a hope that low wages would lure more investors to the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
Last week, the Jakarta administration also announced the new
\nminimum wage (Rp 819,100 for 2006, an increase of 15 percent from
\nthe current Rp 711,843). The increase, however, is much lower
\nthan the Rp 1,203,015 demanded by labor unions.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bandung-workers-get-96-percent-raise-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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