E. Java labor meet deadlocked

SURABAYA, East Java: The tripartite meeting between local labor unions, the local chapter of the Indonesian Employers Association and the local manpower and transmigration ministry office was unable to determine the monthly regional minimum wages in the province because several regencies had yet to lodge their proposals.

L. Pattiradjawane, representing local employers, said the tripartite meeting was adjourned until Surabaya, Mojokerto, Malang and Gresik regencies had lodged their proposals.

"We want the four regencies to submit their proposals to the local wages commission so that the province can announce the minimum wages next week. The office would then have two weeks to publicize the new minimum wages to all employers in the province," he said.

B.H. Pasaribu, a member of the local wages commission, said most regencies hade proposed a hike in the monthly minimum wage to Rp 443,000 from the current Rp 385,000. --Antara