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Indonesia will propose that a minimum wage be set for workers in Southeast Asian countries at the next Asean manpower ministers’ meeting in an effort to protect employees in the region.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla introduced the idea amid concerns over a lack of protection for nationals of Asean member states.
“Vietnam very much supports what I have said about the need for Asean countries to protect their citizens from exploitation,” Kalla said on Thursday, as quoted by Antara news agency.
He said other Asean member countries had expressed interest in pushing for a minimum wage for workers in the region.
Kalla said manpower ministers from Asean member countries would meet shortly to discuss the issue.
“We are in agreement. Cambodia has also agreed,” he said.
Kalla added that the Indonesian government did not want large multinational companies in Asean countries to compete for the lowest wages.
“Competition is good, and so far we have not lost out due to low wages because the raw material is the same, the factories too,” Kalla said.
He said the government would invite the Asean secretary-general to discuss the issue with Vietnam and Cambodia.
“Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia have many workers. We may also ask Bangladesh, Malaysia and Singapore. Even Thailand already has high wages,” he said.
When speaking at the World Economic Forum in Malaysia recently, the vice president proposed that a standard minimum wage be applied throughout the Southeast Asian region.
He said many international footwear and garment companies had relocated their factories to Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia because wages in those countries were low.
“They produce shoes and clothes for US$15, but sell them for $100. Let’s not be played like that. Let’s also not let our workers be exploited,” Kalla said. – The Jakarta Post

NIELSEN TO INCREASE SAMPLE SIZE AGAIN
Nielsen (Thailand) plans to expand its sample households to 3,000 by next year from 2,200 now to boost data quality and the stability of TV ratings.
Sinthu Peatrarut, managing director for media-client leadership, said the increase of sample size aimed to respond to increased demand from its clients, particularly from digital-television broadcasters, after last year’s expansion from 1,800 to 2,200 households to reach more digital terrestrial and satellite TV viewers.
The media-research firm also plans to introduce a new service called “Digital Content Ratings” that will measure the popularity of TV programmes aired via connected devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and personal computers.