'A 7 percent pay hike? It should be 70 percent'

The decision to increase the minimum wage by 7 percent next January, which has been agreed upon by the tripartite commission of the city administration, employers and labor unions, has already sparked various responses from employees. The following are some of the workers who told The Jakarta Post that they were accustomed to receiving salaries that were far below the minimum wage.

Yosi, not his real name, 19, an office boy at a private company in Wijaya Graha Puri, South Jakarta:

I'm happy to hear of the 7 percent wage increase. At least I can hope for a better income.

Nevertheless, I'm not sure I will get more income from the company.

Frankly, I receive only around Rp 480,000 a month which is a little less than the minimum wage. But, I'm lucky due to the fact that I'm allowed live at the office. I can save my transportation fares and house rent every month.

I spend about Rp 300,000 per month for food. After expenses for my other needs, I can save at least Rp 50,000 every month.

I have a dream to continue my education on to senior high school because I quit school when my father passed away. My mother is hardly able to support me because she is just a housemaid.

I feel sad to think of the low income I get every month. Only when I think of my dream, can I bear it.

Mamat, not his real name, a janitor at a shopping mall in West Jakarta. He resides in Kalideres, West Jakarta, with his two children and wife:

I totally disagree with the recent wage hike. It's far less than we dreamed of.

I reckon the issue on minimum wage increases is always deemed as simply an agreement between the high ranking officials and the employers.

It's almost impossible for most employers to give enough welfare to their workers.

I have been working in this position for six years. Initially, my salary was only Rp 180,000. Now my income is more or less Rp 580,000. Do you think this is what we call labor welfare? No way!

I can hardly support my family with that amount of income. I have two children and my wife is jobless.

That's why I have to get extra income by selling clothes or making aquariums or other side jobs just to survive.

To improve our lives, employers should pay their employees at least Rp 800,000 a month.

Mustofa, 24, a security officer at a stylish clothing shop. He lives in Tangerang, Banten, with his parents:

I would only agree if the wage increase was 70 percent! But if only 7 percent, no way!

I don't feeling good at all with the recent issue. It does not make sense. It's far too little to cover the price hikes and more expensive cost of living.

Including transportation allowance, I receive a total income of about Rp 800,000 a month.

But, I'm always flat broke at the end of every month as I'm the main breadwinner of my family. I have to support three members of my family who are still in junior and senior high schools. It's real tough.

I have to postpone my plan to get married because I have nothing left to save. Even if I could save Rp 100,000 a month, how many years would it take for me to have enough to get married?

So, if I only earned the minimum of Rp 650,000, I would not be able to survive.

Mei, 23, a cleaning service attendant at the Jakarta Design Center in Slipi, West Jakarta. She resides in Kalibata, South Jakarta with her family:

I'm glad to hear of the wage hike. Is it true? Frankly, it's good news for me.

Thus far I receive the regional minimum wage and I can manage it well every month.

Normally I spend around Rp 450,000 a month to support my parents and my younger siblings' education. And, I can even save about Rp 100,000 every month. Many say that the monthly salary is not enough but in fact, it's enough for me. I usually bring my own lunch from home.

I take a minivan to my workplace and spend Rp 2,600 a day for the fare.

I just hope that the government can manage to prevent the increase of the prices of basic needs and other items. Otherwise, the minimum wage should be increased to more or less Rp 800,000.

-- Leo Wahyudi S