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