Pribadi Wicaksono (Kontributor), Yogyakarta – Workers in the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY), represented by the Indonesian Workers Working Council (MPBI), are demanding a significant increase in the Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) for 2024, specifically Rp4 million.

This demand contradicts the government's instruction for a maximum wage increase of 6.5 percent from the previous year's UMP, which stood at Rp1,981,782.39.

On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, workers staged a protest in the Tugu Yogyakarta area, coinciding with World Human Rights Day.

"We demand a Rp4 million increase in the UMP, as workers in Yogyakarta currently receive low wages. We advocate for a wage increase based on the cost of living," said Irsyad Ade Irawan, Coordinator of MPBI DIY.

Irsyad emphasized that a decent wage is a fundamental human right, aligning the protest with the commemoration of World Human Rights Day.

Workers are also urging the DIY Governor and the government to adhere to the 2015 Constitutional Court decision regarding minimum wage calculation, which mandates the inclusion of the calculation of decent living needs (KHL).

"Based on KHL calculations, the DIY minimum wage should range from Rp3.7 to 4 million," he explained. "So, if the DIY Governor upholds the constitution, they must also set a minimum wage that meets the KHL."

The workers strongly reject the wage increase outlined in Minister of Manpower Regulation (Permenaker) Number 16 of 2024 concerning the Determination of the Minimum Wage for 2025.

'Permenaker 16 is inconsistent with the Constitutional Court decision as the new minimum wage regulations should involve regional governments and wage councils, not solely the government," Irsyad asserted.

Furthermore, Irsyad criticized the lack of a clear philosophical basis and socio-economic justification for limiting the maximum wage increase to 6.5 percent.

"A wage increase of 6.5 percent will be insufficient to cover the rising cost of living," he emphasized.

Aria Nugrahadi, Head of the Employment and Transmigration Office (Disnakertrans) in Yogyakarta, confirmed that the UMP in Yogyakarta for 2025 will be officially announced on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, as per the deadline set by the central government.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1951407/yogyakarta-workers-demand-minimum-wage-of-rp4-millio