Debate on minimum wages<\/p>\n
From Bisnis Indonesia<\/p>\n
Earlier this year the government announced an increase in the
\nregional minimum wage. As usual this started endless heated
\ndebate.<\/p>\n
It is necessary for all sides, especially the two interested
\nparties, i.e. employers and workers, that the objective of
\ndevelopment in Indonesia is a just and prosperous society.
\nProsperity is not only for employers and workers, but both sides
\nmust jointly endeavor to achieve it.<\/p>\n
It cannot be denied that living expenses increase every year.
\nThis should push workers to boost their performance in order to
\ncatch up with the increase. Workers should not only rely on
\ngovernment decisions or employers' commiserations.<\/p>\n
The increase in the minimum wage should be accompanied by an
\nincrease in work discipline and loyalty with a view to boost
\nproductivity.<\/p>\n
Many labor-intensive companies are not up to meeting the
\nminimum wage requirement every year. Therefore there is a demand
\nfor them to introspect whether they manage their companies
\nefficiently.<\/p>\n
For example, there are labor-intensive companies in the
\ngarment and shoe industries which employ many foreign workers.
\nThis expatriate labor is certainly expensive, both in pay and in
\nfacilities.<\/p>\n
It is surprising, because this type of industry is not new to
\nIndonesia and is not hi-tech. Whatever the reason, it is clear
\nthat these companies cannot free themselves from their dependence
\non expatriate labor.<\/p>\n
If only these companies could liberate themselves from such
\ndependence, they could save a lot of money for the benefit of
\nIndonesian workers. A high spirit of nationalism is necessary on
\nthe part of businessmen to find a way out of this problem.<\/p>\n
The government should show wisdom in its decision by paying
\nattention to and accommodating all the problems of workers,
\nbusinessmen and the government itself.<\/p>\n
The aspirations, mutual understanding and awareness of
\nemployers and workers are needed in order to decide the best for
\nall parties.<\/p>\n
If this can be realized, the boring debates on the minimum
\nwage toward April 1 could be prevented from recurring each year.<\/p>\n
ALPHONZUS WIDJAJA<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/debate-on-minimum-wages-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }