DKI 2022 UMP Doesn't Match Expectations And Anies' Promise To Help Workers Welfare

DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan when meeting workers who protested asking for a salary increase (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) for 2022 has been announced on the last day of its stipulation. The increase in the DKI UMP did not meet the expectations of the workers.

Yesterday, the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan announced that the DKI Jakarta UMP in 2022 was Rp4.45 million. This means that the DKI UMP only increased by around Rp37 thousand or 0.85 percent from the 2021 UMP of Rp4,416,186.

"So, the minimum wage for DKI Jakarta province in 2022 has been set at Rp4,453,935," Anies said on Sunday, November 21.

Anies revealed, the amount of the UMP is based on the provisions of Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation and the formula contained in Article 26 and Article 27 of Government Regulation Number 36 of 2021 concerning Wages which apply to workers/laborers with a working period of less than 1 (one) year.

As is known, the labor group "buried" the DKI Jakarta City Hall several times before the announcement day of the UMP. In front of Anies' office, they held a demonstration to raise wages for 2022 to 10 percent.

"Today's action is from KSPI DKI Jakarta affiliates, of which there are 10 unions who are members of KSPI. Today our action demands an increase in the 2022 UMP by 7 to 10 percent," said Jakarta KSPI Chairman Winarso during the action on Wednesday, November 10.

Then, the Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah announced that the average increase in the UMP in 2021 on a national scale was 1.09 percent.

Workers held another demonstration in front of the DKI City Hall. However, this union reduced the percentage increase in wages after the announcement from the central government.

"We demand a 3.57 percent wage increase," said Endang Hidayat, Chairman of the East Jakarta FSP LEM SPSI DPC at City Hall, Thursday, November 18.

That day, Anies had a chance to meet a mass of workers who were holding an action. Anies signaled that the DKI Provincial Government would comply with the central government's decision regarding the increase in the UMP in 2022.

"I convey that the provisions contained in the PP, and others are provisions that must be implemented," said Anies.

Until finally, the DKI UMP is set to increase by 0.85 percent next year. This was decided based on dialogue with labor unions, employers' associations, and calculations by the DKI Wage Council.

Anies' promise to lighten labor

Although the demands of the workers were not met, Anies promised to improve their welfare. Among other things, by providing assistance in transportation services, providing food at low prices, and personal education costs.

Not only that, but the DKI Provincial Government also carries out various types of employment collaboration programs, both those that are ongoing and in the final planning process. The programs carried out are:

1. Expansion of the criteria for beneficiaries of the Jakarta Worker Card from those who originally earned UMP + 10 percent to UMP + 15 percent in order to reach more workers/laborers, so as to reduce expenses for living expenses for workers/laborers in Jakarta.

2. Children who receive worker cards are prioritized to receive KJP Plus and school fees for education.

3. Expand training programs for workers/laborers through Regional Job Training Centers, Mobile Training Units, Sub-Departments of Manpower, Transmigration, and Energy, as well as collaborators.

4. Development of the Jakpreneur program and the establishment of worker/labor cooperatives as well as facilitating the sale of products originating from the said program into the e-Order system.

5. Education cost program for workers/laborers who have been laid off, as well as workers/laborers who have been laid off without receiving/deducting their wages.

6. Assistance program for children whose parents died due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

7. Collaborative program between Disnakertrans and Energy of DKI Jakarta Province with employers' associations in the form of facilities and infrastructure for the Federation of trade unions/labor unions that already have businesses.