President Prabowo: Gov’t to Increase National Minimum Wage by 6.5 Percent in 2025

President Prabowo Subianto gives a press statement concerning the increase in the average national minimum wage by 6.5 percent in 2025, at the Cabinet Meeting Room, Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Friday (11/29). (Photo by: screenshot from YouTube channel of the Bureau of Press, Media, and Information/BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto has announced an increase in the average national minimum wage by 6.5 percent in 2025, following a limited meeting discussing various issues, including the determination of the minimum wage.

“As we know, this minimum wage serves as a very important social safety net for workers who have worked for less than 12 months, taking into account the need for a decent living. For that reason, the determination of the minimum wage aims to increase workers’ purchasing power while still paying attention to our business competitiveness,” said President Prabowo in his press statement to the media crew at the Cabinet Meeting Room, Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Friday (11/29).

President Prabowo explained that previously Minister of Manpower Yassierli proposed an increase in the national minimum wage by 6 percent. However, after conducting in-depth discussions, including meetings with labor union leaders, the Government decided to increase the national minimum wage by 6.5 percent.

President Prabowo also explained that the determination of the sectoral minimum wage will be under the authority of the provincial, city, and district wage councils. “More detailed provisions regarding the minimum wage will be regulated by a Regulation of the Minister of Manpower,” said President Prabowo.

On that occasion, President Prabowo emphasized the importance of improving workers’ welfare, including through the additional welfare program in the form of providing nutritious food for children and pregnant women. This program is actually designed by the Government to improve the quality of life of workers’ families who are in low-income groups.

“On average, we will allocate approximately Rp10,000 per day per child and per pregnant woman. Previously, we wanted to allocate Rp15,000 but our budget can perhaps allow Rp10,000 and we have calculated that in many areas, such a sum allows quite qualified and nutritious food per person,” said the President.

“If we estimate that a family in the lower deciles has 3-4 children on average, that means each family can receive a minimum of Rp30,000 per day. In one month, they can receive Rp2.7 million,” he continued.

According to the President, this program will serve as a complement to other social assistance, such as the Family Hope Program and other assistance that is already running. President Prabowo also emphasized that the Government will continue to fight for improving workers’ welfare in the future.

“I think the Government has made many efforts to secure all levels of society, including labor groups. I think all its efforts have been maximal so far. Of course we want to improve the efforts in the future,” said the President. (BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat/ECH/ABD) (TM/MUR)