Jakarta – The minimum wages set by the government in 2009 met an average of 64 percent of the basic needs of workers employed in the textiles and garments sector, a recent survey found.

The survey was jointly conducted by the National Workers Union (SPN), the Garment and Textile Workers Union Federation (Garteks) and AKATIGA, a center for social analysis supported by German-based NGO Frederich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the Asian Textile Workers Union (TWARO), in Banten, Jakarta, West and Central Java, in March and April, 2009.

A report on the findings recommends wage improvements for low-income workers, which it argues would also improve productivity.

Under Indonesian law, minimum wages are set based on workers' physical living needs and capacity to save.

SPN chairman Bambang Wirayoso who presented the survey' findings at a discussion here Thursday, said the minimum wages for the sector (averaging at around Rp 1 million per month) should be increased to Rp 4 million for married workers and Rp 2.4 million for single workers.

The report also recommends the government, in its capacity as regulator and social security provider, revise the remuneration system.

The low wages had also meant workers received less financial benefits from social security programs, Bambang said.