Cimahi Underpass Inspection: KDM Seeks Clarity on Workers’ Wages

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi made a surprise inspection of construction work on the Cimahi underpass at the crossing of Jalan Gatot Subroto and the Cimahi railway line on Monday (12 October 2026).

During the inspection, KDM, as the governor is familiarly known, spoke directly with construction workers and asked about their wages. Some appeared hesitant to disclose how much they were paid, but KDM urged them to speak openly.

“Wages must not be cut; they must match the employment contract. If the rate is Rp140,000, it must be Rp140,000, not less,” he said.

The visit revealed the daily rates that should be paid to workers, from foremen to general labourers: Rp130,000 for foremen, Rp140,000 for skilled workers and Rp120,000 for labourers. Steel welders had a different rate, averaging Rp150,000 per day.

However, workers were receiving an average of Rp10,000 to Rp20,000 less per person per day, according to information KDM obtained in direct conversations with them.

KDM also asked whether the workers were covered by insurance. “They must be covered by employment insurance. That is non-negotiable,” he told the West Java provincial government’s project manager.

Before speaking with the project manager, workers had said they were not insured. The manager later said they had been asked to submit their identity cards when they started work, for the purpose of arranging employment insurance.

Cimahi Mayor Ngatiyana and several Cimahi Military District Command (Kodim) officials accompanied KDM during the site inspection.

KDM offered Ngatiyana an additional Rp12 billion from Cimahi’s regional budget (APBD) for the Gatot Subroto underpass project. “Please, Mr Mayor, if you would like to add to it, Rp12 billion,” he said.

Ngatiyana said he would first co-ordinate with the West Java provincial government on the project’s budget. West Java has allocated Rp125 billion for construction of the Gatot Subroto underpass from its 2026 regional budget.