Kalla promises to increase minimum wage

Presidential hopeful Jusuf Kalla pledged to raise the monthly minimum wage of laborers and help people working in informal sectors get more pay should he be elected as the country's president.

The promise was made during his election campaign in Cilincing, North Jakarta on Sunday, which was attended by hundreds of laborers, street vendors, street sweepers and teachers from kindergarten level up.

"Indonesia has huge natural and human resources, so what is needed now is a strong, clean and honest leader to speed up economic development," Kalla said.

He said the minimum wage increase would depend on the country’s economic performance.

Many Cilincing residents attending the campaign complained to Kalla, who is also the current Vice President, about economic hardship.