Head of Presidential Secretariat Meets Protesters on Behalf of Palace

Head of Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono meets protesters of fuel price hike in Arjuna Widjaya Monument area, Jakarta, Monday (09/12). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Rusman)

Head of Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono Monday (09/1) met protesters of fuel price hike from the Confederation of Indonesian Worker Unions (KSPSI), saying the workers’ demands will be followed up immediately.

“We have heard their message. As staff to the President, we will certainly follow up this matter,” Heru said, adding that his office will also invite related institutions to discuss the demands of the workers, which include Government Regulation Number 36 of 2021 on Wage and the Job Creation Law.

“God willing, tomorrow we will invite related institutions. The issues discussed are, among others, Government Regulation Number 36, immigrant protection, and some points on the Job Creation Law. We will discuss all of them. We will inform you the results and Ministry of Manpower must certainly be invited and hear what we had discussed. Once again, thank you to KSPSI that has delivered the aspiration of all workers across Indonesia,” he said.

Previously, Heru received representatives of KSPSI who stated their demands. In his press statement following the meeting, General Secretary of KSPSI Hermanto Ahmad said that fuel price hike will lead to the rise of basic necessity and other commodity prices, while the wage of workers remains stagnant.

“The minimum wage has not increased for two years. Therefore, we addressed our proposal to change the Government Regulation Number 36 of 2021 to Mr. Heru, taking into account decent living standards for workers,” he said.

In addition, KSPSI also pushed for the National Wage Council to be assigned to formulate minimum wages by considering inflation and regional as well as national gross domestic product (GDP).

“Because each region has its own regional GDP, its own economic ability, and its own purchasing power. With that said, at least inflation and GDP or regional GDP should be used as the formula for wage increase this year. That is our hope,” Vice President of KSPSI Abdullah remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (DH/MUR)