Government may increase regional minimum wage by 16 percent<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government will soon announce a raise in the
\nregional minimum monthly wage, which officials have revealed is
\nexpected to be about the same as last year's average 16 percent
\nrise.<\/p>\n
Syaufi'i Syamsuddin, director general for labor standards and
\nindustrial relations at the manpower ministry, disclosed the
\nannouncement was expected to be made by the end of the month.<\/p>\n
He would not go into detail, saying the specifics were still
\nbeing discussed but that the percentage raise would be about the
\nsame as last year.<\/p>\n
"We have received numerous proposals on the hike from
\ngovernors but the government has yet to decide the percentage.
\nHowever, it will be announced in the near future," he said.<\/p>\n
Syaufi'i said the announcement would be made soon to allow
\ncompanies a three-month grace period to make the necessary
\npreparations before the wage increases take effect in April.<\/p>\n
He said the early announcement would also allow troubled
\ncompanies time to request a deferral if they have sound reasons
\nthey cannot afford to increase wages.<\/p>\n
He added that the government would not unilaterally decide on
\nthe raise, but would first consult with provincial
\nadministrations and all parties representing workers and
\nemployers.<\/p>\n
Syaufi'i acknowledged, however, that the purchasing power of
\nmost workers in the country was very weak. He even conceded that
\nwith the current minimum wage most workers could not meet their
\ndaily minimum needs.<\/p>\n
"How can workers in a factory in Jakarta meet their daily
\nminimum needs if they are paid Rp 231,000 per month," he said.<\/p>\n
But he noted that with the economy not fully recovered, it
\nwould also be too burdensome for companies if the increase was
\ntoo high.<\/p>\n
Unions<\/p>\n
In compliance with the International Labor Organization's
\n(ILO) convention on the freedom of association, Syaufi'i also
\nsaid Indonesia's four million civil servants were free to reject
\nmembership of the Indonesian Civil Servants Corps (Korpri), and
\nestablish a separate labor union if they wished.<\/p>\n
"The government no longer has the right to bar civil servants
\nfrom joining political parties or to force them to continue to
\naccept Korpri, as it is against ILO conventions," Syaufi'i said
\nafter receiving an ILO delegation here on Monday.<\/p>\n
He said the government would amend the 1999 law on civil
\nservants to comply with the ILO convention, which it ratified in
\n1997, and issue a law guaranteeing freedom of association
\napplying both to workers and civil servants.<\/p>\n
"The manpower ministry will soon submit a bill on employment
\ntraining, industrial relations and freedom of association to the
\nHouse of Representatives for endorsement," he said.<\/p>\n
However, those serving in the military and police will still
\nbe excluded.<\/p>\n
Syaufi'i pointed out that a new ruling excluding them would
\nsoon be issued.<\/p>\n
"It would be dangerous if servicemen were allowed to join
\npolitical parties and set up their own unions," he said.<\/p>\n
So far, at least 26 labor unions, including the government-
\nbacked All-Indonesia Workers Union Federation (FSPSI), have been
\nestablished to represent workers.<\/p>\n
Payaman Simanjuntak, an expert staff at the ministry, warned
\nthat despite newly granted freedom of association, civil servants
\nwould not be allowed to strike, since they have a specific public
\nservice duty.<\/p>\n
"Can you imagine what would happen to hospital patients if
\nnurses were allowed to stage strikes. Public servants are allowed
\nto air their aspirations but they shouldn't be allowed to stage
\nlabor strikes," he said in the meeting. (rms)<\/p>",
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