TWARO Workshop on Living Wage, 19th until 20th August, Jakarta

In many countries in Asia, minimum wages are set by governments to secure a basic living standard for workers in low-cost industries. However, besides the fact that emplyers often violate teh law by failing to meet the stipulated minimum wages the minimum wages in these countries are not sufficient to secure a living. Side jobs, family help, and debts are daily survival strategies for workers in such a situation.

The International Garment, Leather and Textile Workers Federation (ITGLWF) is campaigning globally for the concept of a “living wage” that ensures a decent living standard and allows for basic education and health care expenses. In cooperation with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, ITGLWF carried out studies in Cambodia, Indonesia and India to define the “living wage” on different national levels. In Indonesia, the research institute AKATIGA´s survey found out that the minimum wages set by the government in 2009 met an average of only 64% of the basic needs of workers employed in the textiles and garments sector.

The results of the surveys in the three countries were presented in a seminar “Living Wages – Experiences from Cambodia, India and Indonesia” jointly organised by ITGLWF/FES and the Indonesian trade union federations SPN and GARTEKS in Jakarta on August 19-20. Please find here the full survey results and an introductory paper by ITGLWF.

Last changed: Nov 02 2009 at 12:31 PM