Conduct Decent Living Needs Survey, Labor Association Urges Government To Increase 2022 Minimum Wage By 7 To 10 Percent

JAKARTA - The Association of Indonesian Trade Unions (ASPEK Indonesia) demands an increase in the minimum wage by 2022 by 7 to 10 percent. The claim is based on the results of a Decent Living Needs (KHL) survey conducted by the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) in 24 provinces, using 60 KHL components.

President of ASPEK Indonesia Mirah Sumirat said the results of the KHL KSPI survey showed that the most appropriate amount of increase in the minimum wage in 2022 was 7 to 10 percent. Thus, ASPEK urges the Government not to impose the determination of the minimum wage in 2022 based solely on Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation and its derivative regulations, namely Government Regulation Number 36 of 2021 concerning Wages.

Mirah emphasized that Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation is still in the process of trial for lawsuits at the Constitutional Court. So that all derivative regulations, including Government Regulation Number 36 of 2021 concerning Wages, should be set aside and not forced to apply.

"ASPEK Indonesia asks the Government to set a minimum wage increase in 2022, while still using the formula for calculating the minimum wage increase based on Law Number 13 of 2003 concerning Manpower. The increase in the Minimum Wage must be based on a survey of Decent Living Needs (KHL), productivity and economic growth," he said in a written statement, Tuesday, November 9.

Mirah also criticized the weak supervisory function of the Manpower Service and the Ministry of Manpower. The weakness of the supervisory function is a serious problem that the government always fails to address.

As a result, continued Mirah, there are still many companies that pay their workers only the minimum wage. Whereas the minimum wage should only be given to single workers with less than one year of service.

Meanwhile, workers with families or working period of more than one year should get wages above the minimum wage. This condition occurs because many companies are 'naughty' because they do not make Wage Structures and Scales in their companies. Whereas the Wage Structure and Scale must be made by the company.

"ASPEK Indonesia urges the government to be serious and not just 'lips service' in carrying out its supervisory function, and to take firm action against companies that are irresponsible and arbitrary to their workers," he said.