Tangerang sets new minimum wage

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

After lengthy debates, both Tangerang regency and municipality administrations agreed on Wednesday to raise the regional minimum wage by Rp 30,000 (US$3.10) from Rp 663,500 to Rp 693,500.

"The decision will take effect in January 2005," said head of the municipality manpower agency, Adang Turwana.

However, the decision failed to satisfy the workers.

"The raise is less than 5 percent of the current wage, while prices of basic commodities have risen up to 20 percent," Ngadinah, coordinator of Workers Union Association (GBSBI) told The Jakarta Post.

Jasirah, 23, who works at a garment factory in Jatiuwung, said that the workers expected a 10 percent increase to meet living costs in Tangerang. "It's not enough for a single person, let alone to support a family," she said.

Head of Tangerang regency manpower agency Apon Suryuana said that the minimum living costs in both municipality and regency were equal.

"It's not that we don't care about the workers' welfare, but we also have to consider employers' financial standing. Furthermore, Tangerang is not Jakarta, which may significantly increase the minimum wage," he added.