Minimum wage and religious bonus

Minimum wage and religious bonus

From Media Indonesia

The decision of the Ministry of Manpower concerning the increase of the minimum wage level, to be put into force as of April 1, 1995 throughout Indonesia, surely delights the workers. And President Soeharto has instructed the Minister to monitor the implementation of the decision. In this case, the consistent implementation of the decision is not only the responsibility of the Minister of Manpower's personnel in the provinces, but Governors, Regents and Mayors are also held responsible for supervising the true implementation of the regulation. The increase of the minimum wage is understood to be from 10 to 35 percent.

It is hoped that state-owned enterprises will take the lead in implementing the decision of the Minister of Manpower. It is still a question, however, whether the Association of Indonesian Entrepreneurs is ready to implement the decision.

Apart from that, the entrepreneurs are also obliged to give a religious bonus of one month salary to the workers. The bonus should be paid one week before Idul Fitri at the latest. If state-owned enterprises are not yet able to pay the minimum wage to its workers, then what hope do we have of the private companies doing it.

One thing should also be considered, i.e. the difference in the amount of the minimum wage for various regions. For example, the minimum wage is Rp 3,500 for the Aceh province, and Rp 4,200 for North Sumatra. West Java will enjoy a minimum wage of Rp 4,600, while Central Java will only get Rp 3,000 per day. That the minimum wage scheme 1995 was introduced after careful and thoughtful consideration is undisputed. But the general workers find it hard to comprehend.

As far as the religious bonus goes, many companies, including state-owned enterprises, are still not in the position to give their workers an extra one month salary, because the workers get production bonuses every year.

T think this matter needs clarifying.

HARTONO

Jakarta