Noodle and Coffee Disturb KHL Determination

Discussion of 2014 Standard Cost of Living (KHL) meets the dead end again. At least, there are three items being debated in tripartite Wage Council meeting. The KHL determination was canceled.

Labor wants more expensive items are included in the list. They are smart for this

"We held meeting last night up to 9 PM, but there was no agreement yet," said Priyono, head Jakarta Manpower and Transmigration Dept., Wednesday (11/5).

It means his side could not give the Province Minimum Wages (UMP) value recommendation to Acting Jakarta Governor Basuki T. Purnama. Three items which debated are coffee, instant noodle, and tabloid.

KHL Determination Refers to the Applicable Regulations

Previously, those three items were already included in 60 KHL items. But their names are changed. Firstly, the carbohydrate item was flour, but the labor wants instant noodle. Next items, coffee and tea, but the labor wants coffee only.

" Labor wants more expensive items are included in the list. They are smart for this ," he added.

Priyono continued that city government has no problem with the item changing, but labor and entrepreneur must have agreement. The meeting will be held again on Thursday (11/6) at City Hall.

"We also can not add watching cinema as item in KHL. It is already listed as recreation item," he continued.

As reported earlier, the labor asked 2014 KHL value as much as Rp 3.1 million so 2015 Jakarta UMP will be above Rp 3 million. Responding this matter, Basuki T. Purnama uttered that 2015 Jakarta UMP can not be determined based on 2014 KHL, but valid regulation. In fact, Jakarta Government had raised UMP up to 40 percent or above the KHL. Five years earlier, it never happened.