Insider Stories - Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo on Friday announced the country's capital monthly minimum wage for 2014 at Rp 2.44 million, a far amount from the Rp 3.7 milion demanded by workers union at the city.

"There were two choices proposed to me. Employers wanted it [the adjustment] to be based on the decent living cost (KHL) of Rp 2.3 million," said Joko Widodo, known by his nickname Jokowi.

He added the second proposal was Rp 2.44 million, as reccomended by the Jakarta Renumeration Council, which came out with the recommendation from meetings that were made in the absense of worker representatives.

Joko said the council invited worker representatives, but they did not show up.

"The decision was the one from the council. I have signed a governor regulation that regulates about it [the minimum wage]," he said.

"I hope nobody refuses. Last year, we have raised it by nearly 50 percent. I was still protested. All have consequences," Jokowi said.

The new figure means a 10 percent rise from this year's figure of Rp 2.2 million.

Labor unions previously threatened for widespread protests to push for their to the government to approve for Rp 3.7 million figure for monthly wage.

According to the Presidential Instruction on minimum wage, all provinces must announce their minimum wage on Nov. 1.

Last year, when the governor determined for a 44 percent increase for this year's figure, representatives from employers did not attend the council meeting.


Lower than Bekasi

Uniquely, Jakarta's figure will be, for the first time ever, lower than Bekasi, a city that is part of West Java province that is at the outskirt of Jakarta.

Bekasi municipality sets the figure at Rp 2.94 million for next year, up 40 percent from this year's Rp 2.1 million.

Previously, worker representatives demanded for Rp 3.15 million, which represented for a 50 percent increase.

In an audience with worker representatives they agreed to lower the percentage increase to just 40 percent.

Bekasi municipality will forward the agreement to the governor of West Java.