SP/Adi Marsiela, Bandung – In the wake of Jakarta's 44 percent minimum wage hike, West Java has approved an increase in the minimum wage levels of its 26 districts and cities by an average of 25 percent.

"[Hopefully] there'll be no lawsuit," West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan said on Wednesday night after signing the decision.

Seventeen of the 26 districts and cities, including Bogor, Bekasi and Bandung, will next year get a minimum wage higher than the decent living cost (KHL). Other regions, including Ciamis, Tasikmalaya and Banjar, will still have minimum wage levels lower than the KHL.

Bekasi will have the highest wage among the 26 with Rp 2.1 million ($217) per month – just Rp 100,000 lower than Jakarta's Rp 2.2 million – while the lowest one is in Majalangka district at Rp 850,000. The three areas with the highest increases are Bogor city, Bogor district and Karawang, from below Rp 1.3 million to an average of Rp 2 million.

Heryawan said the minimum wage levels were based on the recommendation of the district heads and mayors. "They're all exactly the same as the recommendation, none less," he said.

Apindo's West Java chapter is maintining its opposition to the new figures and has refused to sign the decision of West Java wage council. Deddy Wijaya, the head of Apindo's West Java chapter, said the process did not follow the proper mechanism.

"It's strange that the amount was changed after the workers rallied," Deddy said. "This is a violation of government regulations. We are strongly objecting to it."

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Confederation of All-Indonesia Workers Union, Roy Jinto, said he was disappointed that many of the districts still set the minimum wage lower than the KHL. "But we will still accept it as it was recommended by the district heads and mayors," Roy said.

Heryawan said employers that cannot afford the new wage levels can request a delay in implementation.

Last year, Bekasi raised its minimum wage from Rp 1.29 million to Rp 1.49 million, sparking a lawsuit from the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) and days of massive and chaotic protests.

Thousands of workers blocked the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road on Jan. 27, creating severe congestion stretching some 20 kilometers and forcing a number of stores in the area to close. Apindo eventually bowed to the protests.