Having The Same Responsibility As ASN, PGRI: Honorary Teacher Salaries Should Be Equal To UMK

Illustration (Photo: Antara)

TANJUNGPINANG - The Indonesian Teachers' Association (PGRI) is of the opinion that the salaries of teachers who are regional honorarium and school honorariums should be at least equal to the city/district minimum wage (UMK).

This was conveyed by the Executive Board of PGRI, Dadang Abdul Gani, in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands Province, Thursday, November 25. According to him, honorary teachers have the same duties, obligations, and responsibilities as teachers with the status of a state civil servant (ASN), because it is not appropriate to receive a salary far below the minimum wage.

"Teachers are honorary workers, in fact, there are quite a number of teachers whose workloads are equal and more than teachers who are ASN. So, their welfare should be considered," said Dadang.

He said the number of honorary teachers who serve in schools throughout Indonesia reaches millions. Determining the minimum amount of teacher honorarium in accordance with the UMK is not something new that PGRI is fighting for.

In every National Teacher's Day (HGN), he said, this issue is always echoed because the welfare of teachers needs to be provided. From these teachers were born the next generation of the nation so that their welfare should be considered.

Currently, according to him, there are still honorary teachers who earn a salary of Rp150,000/month or Rp5,000/day. The money could not possibly cover the needs of his family.

"There are many honorary teachers who are given salaries below Rp1 million. This is certainly not worth it," he said as quoted by Antara.

He stated that HGN is a momentum for the central government and local governments to evaluate the salaries of honorary teachers.

Local governments can make local regulations to give affirmations or awards to teachers, in addition to setting a minimum salary of honorary teachers equal to the UMK.

The award for honorary teachers, he said, could go through a working period of 1-5 years, 6-10 years, and so on. The form of appreciation can also be given in accordance with regional conditions, the needs of honorary teachers, and financial capabilities.

"One form of appreciation given to honorary teachers who have served for more than 10 years is to give them the opportunity to easily become ASN," said Dadang Abdul Gani.