Minimum Wage For 2021 Does Not Increase, Workers Ask Governors To Ignore Menaker Letter Ida Fauziyah

Labor Demo Rejects Work Copyright Act. (Wardhany Tsa Tsia / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Confederation of Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPI) said Indonesian workers will prepare for a national strike action, if the government still decides there is no increase in the minimum wage in 2021.

President of the KSPI Said Iqbal said, it is certain that the workers' actions will get bigger and stronger. Therefore, he asked the governors to ignore the circular letter of the Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah which stated that the amount of wages in 2021 was the same as 2020 or there would be no increase.

Moreover, said Iqbal, the polemic for drinking wages in 2021 that will not increase is amid the rejection of the Omnibus Law on the Job Creation Law.

"It could be that the workers end up making a decision on a national strike," he said, in a virtual press conference, Friday, October 30.

Iqbal said the government must be careful about this national strike action. This is because this action was different from the national strike which was held on October 6 to 8. This is because the action uses the basis of a demonstration as stated in Law Number 9 of 1998.

According to him, this time the form was a national strike carried out by labor unions at the factory level. This is because the issue of wages is a problem at the company or factory level. Workers can propose wage increase negotiations which are carried out simultaneously in their respective companies.

Furthermore, Iqbal explained, what is dangerous is if a deadlock occurs. Because it fulfills the requirements stipulated in Law Number 13 of 2003 concerning Manpower to go on strike.

"The Minister of Manpower is the most responsible person if a national strike occurs. The production stop simultaneously throughout Indonesia. That is permitted in Law Number 13 of 2003. The national strike will be even more devastating. I cannot imagine 5,000 companies going on strike and it certainly can. because this is a matter of wages, "he said.

Iqbal said that on November 2, the KSPI and Indonesian workers would take action by tens of thousands of workers in front of the Palace and the Constitutional Court. The action will also be carried out simultaneously in 24 provinces and involve 200 districts / cities throughout Indonesia. The action demands that the Omnibus Law on the Job Creation Law be canceled.

"In addition, we ask President Jokowi to instruct the Minister of Manpower to revoke a circular stating that there will be no increase in the 2021 minimum wage," he said.

A similar action will also be carried out on November 9 with an action point in front of the DPR RI Building to urge a legislative review of the Job Creation Law. Furthermore, on November 10, the action will be carried out at the Ministry of Manpower Office, asking the Minister of Manpower to revoke the circular that has been made.

Iqbal emphasized that the actions to be carried out by KSPI were actions that were measured, directed, constitutional and not anarchist.

"At the end point, we are considering carrying out a national strike. The issue of wages involves permanent and contract employees. The government is careful," he said.