Minimum wages and purchasing power

Minimum wages and purchasing power

From Media Indonesia

From the New Order regime era until now, we have often been given pay increases according to minimum wage standards. But our life has not improved. Our purchasing power as workers has declined considerably. We have now come to realize that it is not our pay that is small, but it is our purchasing power that is low.

If our high officials in the government could find ways to keep essential food prices low; to organize good and cheap transportation; to grant adequate subsidies for a good education; and to provide adequate health services for families, we trust that the government need not be overly busy in raising the minimum wage each year.

We think we have had our share of suffering with the hardships of our condition as workers. Please do not tempt us with promises of better conditions through an increase in minimum wages because invariably, these increases are followed by greater increases in commodity prices.

As a worker, I am convinced that my buying power and my condition will improve if the situation in this country is safe and food and clothing prices are affordable. Moreover, if schools get adequate subsidies, teachers can have a decent life and education for the first nine years would be free. May transportation and health care conditions also be improved.

PORMAN MANULANG

Jakarta