Bandung workers protest regency minimum wage

Bandung workers protest regency minimum wage

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung

More than 1,000 workers in the regency of Bandung, West Java,
marched to the regent's office to express their dissatisfaction
with the minimum wage set by local leaders on Dec. 4.

The protesters, who were marching from the industrial areas of
Rancaekek, Majalaya, Cimahi and Padalarang, were however, blocked
by a large number of policemen. Only about 200 protesters were
allowed to proceed to Regent Obar Sobarna's office in Soreang.

Chief of Bandung Regency Police Adj. Sr. Comr. Bagus Kurniawan
said that the police did not want any rioting or violence, citing
a similar demonstration by workers in June which turned violent.

Most of the workers finally dispersed after the police
informed them that they did not have the necessary permits for a
street demonstration.

The workers, grouped in nine different labor unions, including
the Textile and Leather Workers Union (SPTSK) and the Metal
Workers Union (SPMI), said that the new regency minimum wage hike
to Rp 470,500 per month, effective Jan. 1, 2002, was too low.

The current wage is Rp 389,500 per month.

Secretary of the Bandung regency SPTSK Rita Hudayati said that
the workers were merely expressing their dissatisfaction.

"The workers had earlier proposed a Rp 551,146 minimum wage
per month based on their minimum physical needs (in the regency
of Bandung). The proposal was supported by the regency
legislative council," said Rita.

The representatives of the protesters were unable to meet with
Regent Obar Sobarna, who was out of his office on official
business. They were received by Dadang Supardi, an official from
the local Manpower office.

"The regent's decision is final, as it has a very strong legal
basis," Dadang said, confirming that approval from the regency
wage council had been obtained by the regent before the decision
was made.

An obviously disappointed Rita said that the workers would
continue the protests until they met with the regent.

"We are open to negotiation, and we hope that the regent's
decision is not final," she said, adding that she intended to
organize a greater number of workers for future protests.

Commenting on the demonstration, the Indonesian Textile
Association (API) of West Java said that the workers' demand was
too much.

"The Minister of Manpower decree says that the wage must meet
the minimum physical needs, which is only Rp 437,000 per month in
the regency of Bandung," API secretary Ade Sudrajat said.

"They can demand more wages, but we would not be able to
afford to pay that," he said.

Since the Regional Autonomy Law was implemented this year,
governors have the right to set the minimum wage for their own
province.

Last month the minimum wage in West Java was raised to Rp
280,779 per month for 2002 from the current Rp 270,000.

While the governors set up the provincial minimum wages, they
gave the mayors and regents authorities raise minimum wages for
their respective areas with the condition that the amount must
not be smaller than the provincial minimum wage.

Bandung Mayor Aa Tarmana issued a decree on Dec. 3 for the
2002 minimum wage to be raised to Rp 471,000 per month.