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