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.