Workers Oppose 1.09-percent Hike in 2022 Minimum Wage

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Workers Union Association (Aspek Indonesia) firmly opposed the government's decision to announce the average increase in the Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) in 2022 at 1.09 percent.

The government determined the minimum wage hike based on Government Regulation (PP) No. 36 of 2021 concerning wages, which is a derivative rule of Law (UU) No. 11 of 2020 on Job Creation.

Citing PP No. 36 of 2021, Aspek Indonesia president Mirah Sumirat said the highest increase in the 2022 UMP will be in Jakarta by Rp37,538 to Rp4,453,724 from last year’s Rp4,416,186.

Meanwhile, the lowest increase is in Central Java at Rp14,032 to Rp1,813,011 from previously Rp1,798,979.

“This is very embarrassing amid people's difficult conditions and weakening purchasing power. People are pushed into poverty,” said Mirah in a written statement, Wednesday, November 17.

She added that Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah decided not to increase the minimum wage in 2020 through the issuance of a ministerial circular.

Mirah also opined that the Job Creation Law and PP No. 36 of 2021 further proved that President Joko Widodo or Jokowi’s government granted a red carpet to entrepreneurs, rather than siding with workers and the people.

On this basis, Aspek Indonesia that is affiliated with KSPI fully supported the constitutional national strike plan to reject the determination of the 2022 UMP. “Because it is inhumane and this further proves that the government is not able to provide a decent life for its people,” Mirah underlined.

Read: Jakarta to Announce 2022 Provincial Minimum Wage on Nov. 19

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