Minimum wage upped in Semarang

SEMARANG: The minimum wage in Semarang will be increased to Rp 440,000 (US$51.80) from the previous Rp 400,000, an official said on Wednesday.

"The decision on the new minimum wage, endorsed by a gubernatorial decree, will be effective Jan. 1," said Heri Supriyono, head of the Transmigration and Industrial Relations office at the Semarang administration.

The 10 percent increase reflected the rising cost of living in the mayoralty, determined through a survey, he said.

The survey covered participants from all walks of life, including workers, businessmen, students and civil servants.

The local government decided that the minimum wage should reflect the increased cost of living, as found by the survey, so workers could afford to live in the city. -- Antara