24% urged for basic wage

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has proposed to the Ministry of Manpower that the monthly minimum wage (UMR) in the Jakarta area be increased by 24 percent, an official says.

"We submitted the proposal through the manpower ministry's Jakarta office to obtain the minister's approval," the head of the City Social Affairs Bureau, Silvia Murni, announced on Friday after a meeting with officials of the manpower ministry's national and Jakarta offices and labor unions at City Hall.

"If the proposal is approved, the regional minimum wage for Jakarta will become Rp 286,000 (US$38.65) per month," she added.

Currently, the minimum wage for Jakarta is Rp 231,000 per month. The current minimum wage was established on April 1 last year.

Silvia said the decision to propose an increase in the monthly regional minimum wage was made during the Friday morning meeting, which was also attended by representatives of various institutions as well as the business circle.

"The meeting was held in response to a request made by a delegation from the Jakarta chapter of the All-Indonesia Workers Union Federation (FSPSI) yesterday (Thursday).

Silvia also revealed that the proposed wage was still below the monthly regional minimum living requirement (KHM) of Rp 351,000. The Central Bureau of Statistics sets the requirements based on results of a series of censuses nationwide.

"We have also put the wage hike in accordance with neighboring townships of Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi, which propose a similar 24 percent hike in UMR," she added.

Currently, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi have a common monthly regional minimum wage of Rp 230,000. (05)