Minimum wage raised by 9% in N. Sumatra

MEDAN, North Sumatra: North Sumatra Governor T. Rizal Nurdin has issued a decree regulating the minimum wage increase by nine percent for the province to Rp 505,000 (US$56) in the 2003 fiscal year from the current Rp 464,000.

The chief of the local manpower and transmigration office, A. Aziz Gumay said here over the weekend that the decree was issued after the provincial legislative council gave their approval the wage increase agreement reached upon by employers and labor unions in the province.

The chief of the local wage council, John Tafbu Ritonga, said labor unions proposed an increase to Rp 900,000 while employers proposed no hike in the minimum wage. --Antara