Jakarta – The Workers Federation staged a rally demanding an increase in the minimum wage in front of City Hall on Tuesday.
The Metal, Electronic and Machine Workers Union (FSP LEM SPSI) head Tarmizi said the minimum wage would be decided on Tuesday and they expected it would be based on the workers standard of living.
"Today the administration will make a decision, I hope it will match our expectation of Rp3.9 million (US$287) per month," Tarmizi said, as quoted by kompas.com. He added that the number was calculated based on the basic cost of living (KHL).
The Jakarta wage council proposed two choices as references for the 2018 minimum wage to Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. The council member representing employers, Sarman Simanjorang, said the wage would be either Rp3.6 million or Rp3.9 million.
The Rp3.6 million figure was proposed by business parties and based on Government Regulation No. 78/2015 on wages.
"The Workers Federation asked for Rp3.9 million. They calculate the figure based on the KHL [Rp3.6 million], and also take into account economic growth and the national inflation rate of 8.73 percent," Sarman added. (wnd)