Labor Party Commitment To Fight For A 15 Percent Wage Increase

JAKARTA - The Labor Party, together with other trade union elements, will continue to be committed to fighting for a 15% minimum wage increase in 2024.

Therefore, the Labor Party and KEPENTINGAN responded strongly, regarding the government's efforts to'realize' and justify a number of ways, in order to thwart the 15% wage increase struggle. Including the revision of Government Regulation (PP) No. 36 of 2021, concerning Wages.

"The Labor Party firmly rejects the contents of the revision of PP No. 36 concerning Wages, because it does not match the expectations of all Indonesian workers. This includes rejecting the formulation of the minimum wage increase," said the President of the Labor Party who is also the President of KSPI, Said Iqbal, in a press conference via Zoom, on Friday (10/11).

Said Iqbal also briefly explained the reasons for the rejection, because in the Job Creation Law, it has been regulated that the minimum wage increase is based on inflation, economic growth and certain indexes. And in the revised formulation of PP No. 36, certain indexes range from 0.1-0.3.

"Therefore, the revision of PP No. 36 and its derivatives were rejected by the Labor Party and also the entire majority of workers throughout Indonesia," he added.

In addition, Said Iqbal said, that the struggle in realizing a 15% wage increase is still and will continue to be voiced. Because the demand for the increase is seen as an effort to maintain life by adjusting to the soaring prices of needs.

*The Labor Party still wants a 15% minimum wage increase according to the reasons we have published frequently. And the most decisive factors are the price of rice, eggs, cooking oil, transportation costs, the increase is above 30%. And those are the items consumed by workers." he said.

"The 15% increase in wages is only to match the increase in goods prices." he added.

In addition, Said Iqbal, who is also the Deputy for Governing Body (GB) International Labor Organization (ILO) from a working group, also told how yesterday's meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, which also discussed the welfare of workers, one of which was by increasing wages.

"I had a chance to talk with Brazil's Presidential Advisor for Manpower, Valter Sanchez, he said that Brazil's minimum wage increase was 13%, with inflation rates ranging from 4% and economic growth at 3.2%."

"Meanwhile, Indonesia, with an inflation rate of 2.8% and economic growth of 5.2%. So if we ask for an increase of 15%, of course it is still logical and rational."

"In addition, in some countries the world, such as the UK, Australia, Germany, also demands an increase in wages above 20-30%."