Indonesian Labor Union Wants Wage Rise by 30 Percent

Jakarta (Antara) - The Confederation of Indonesian Workers Union (KSPI) demanded a wage rise by 30 percent in the year 2015, the organization's president Said Iqbal said here on Sunday. "We will bring this agenda in our rally next May 1, coinciding with International Workers' Day," Said said. According to him, a wage rise in Indonesia is necessary as the country will soon join ASEAN Single Market in 2015. Said argued the minimum wage standard in Indonesia is far behind other ASEAN countries such as Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia while the productivity in Indonesia is as good as other ASEAN countries. "Minimum wage in Jakarta is Rp2.4 million (US$210), in Thailand it's US$280, and the Philippines US$315 whilst the average cost of living in those countries is the same," Said added. He also criticized the members of parliament because they very rarely brought up the issues for discussion. (*) Reporting by Muhammad Razi Rahman Translating and Editing by Amie Fenia Arimbi