KSPI: Component Of 'Decent Living Needs' Increases, But Workers Remain Poor

JAKARTA - The Confederation of Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPI) rejects Permenaker Number 18 of 2020 concerning Amendments to Permenaker Number 21 of 2016 concerning Decent Living Needs (KHL). As is known, Permenaker Number 21 of 2016 revokes Permenakertrans Number 13 of 2012 concerning Components and Implementation of Stages of Achieving Decent Living Needs, except for the provisions in Article 2 and Attachment I.

According to the President of KSPI Said Iqbal, the new Permenaker has indeed increased the number of KHL components from 60 types to 64 types, but in quantity there are several types of KHL that have decreased. In other words, although the KHL item increased, the workers were still poor.

"This is also still far from the expectation of KSPI, which asked that the KHL value be increased to 84 components," Said Iqbal said in his written statement, Tuesday, October 20.

He explained that the addition of items included separating the components of coffee and tea; additional gallon drinking water; addition of pulse and internet packages in the transportation and communication component; and additional social security expenditure by 2 percent.

"But the problem is Permenaker Number 18 of 2020 reduces the quality of KHL from the previous Permenaker," he continued.

Some of the quality of the KHL components that have decreased are as follows:

The quality / criteria for the sugar component, which was previously 3 Kg, fell to 1.2 Kg. This obviously reduces the value of the KHL item. Where usually the KHL value for this item is IDR 36,000 with an average price of granulated sugar is IDR 12,000 / Kg. Through the new Permenaker, the value has actually decreased to IDR 18,000.

The quality / criteria for the component of bulk cooking oil which was previously 2 Kg decreased to 1.2 Kg. If previously the value of this KHL component was Rp. 20,500 with an average price of bulk cooking oil of Rp. 10,200 per liter, then with the new Permenaker the value will decrease to Rp. 12,300. In other words, the KHL value of cooking oil items decreased by Rp. 8,200.

Quality / criteria for fruit components (banana / papaya equivalent) from 7.5 Kg to 4.5 Kg. If the KHL value was IDR 68,000 with the calculation of the fruit price in the market of IDR 9,000 per kg, then with the new Permenaker the value has decreased to IDR 42,000. In other words, the KHL value of fruit items decreased by Rp.26,000

Quality / component criteria for trousers / skirts / Muslim clothing from 6/12 to 4.5 / 12. If the KHL value was IDR 67,000, then with the new Permenaker the value has decreased to IDR 50,500. In other words, the component of trousers / skirts / Muslim clothing decreased by Rp. 16,500.

Quality / component criteria of the belt from 1/12 to 1/24. This will clearly reduce the value of the KHL item, where the purchase of a belt from once a year becomes once every 2 years.

Quality / criteria for short sleeve shirt / blouse component from 6/12 to 4,5 / 12. If the KHL value was Rp. 57,000, then with the new Permenaker the value has decreased to Rp. 43,000. In other words, the KHL value of the shirt component decreased by IDR 14,000

Quality / criteria for T-shirt / BH components from 6/12 to 4.5 / 12. For the purchase of T-shirts / BH, originally the KHL value was IDR 10,000, so with the new Permenaker the value decreased to IDR 7,500. In other words, the KHL component of T-shirts / BH decreased by Rp. 2,500

The quality / criteria for the mukenah components that were previously 1/12 were changed to the Koran / other holy books with the quality / criteria of 1/24. The mukena component was replaced by scripture, it was clear that there was a decline in value. If seen from the KHL value for mukena Rp. 8,000, if it is replaced by Al-Quran the KHL value becomes Rp. So that the value of the KHL item for this decreases by IDR 7,000

Said Iqbal also highlighted the change in the tabloid component as many as 4 copies or radio to television with a 1/60 criterion. This is actually relevant to the times. However, the KHL value of television should be increased when compared to the value of 4 copies. If the value of KHL 4 copies of the tabloid is Rp. 60,000, then the KHL value of this 21 inch TV is only Rp.22,000 so that the KHL value is decreased by Rp.38,000

"Once again, KSPI asked for the number of KHL components to be increased to 84 items with the quality of each component being increased, not decreased. The addition of 84 KHL items is in accordance with the results of a decent living needs survey conducted by KSPI with the Asian Wages Council since 5 years ago," he said. Said Iqbal.

KSPI urges Permenaker Number 18 of 2020 to be immediately revoked and corrected. Simultaneously, the KSPI also rejects the Job Creation Law, in particular which eliminates sectoral minimum wages (UMSK and UMSP) and imposes requirements for determining UMK.