Wage in Kepri raised to Rp 510,000

BATAM, Riau: The minimum wage in the Kepulauan Riau (Kepri) region was raised by 20 percent to Rp 510,000 from the previous Rp 421,000.

The decision was stipulated in a decree issued by Riau Governor Saleh Djasit on Jan. 20, 2002.

The local branch of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) said all employers were obliged to comply with the decree because it was based on an agreement between workers, the local administration and their representatives in the region.

Bambang Yulianto, chairman of the local chapter of the Indonesian Prosperity Trade Union (SBSI), said he was still negotiating with his local counterparts to set the minimum wage in the Tanjung Balai Karimun regency. --JP