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ANDUNG: West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, through the lawyers of West Java administration, demanded the Bandung State Administrative Court (PTUN) on Thursday to dismiss the lawsuit filed by major confederations of labor unions regarding the postponement of the 2013 regional minimum wage (U MR).

In February, the confederations filed a lawsuit against West Java Gubernatorial Decree No. 561, which allows 257 companies in 11 regencies and mayoralties to postpone the implementation of the 2013 minimum wage issued on Jan. 18.

Aris Eka, who represents West Java administration, said the plaintiffs had no legal capacity to file the lawsuit. “The plaintiffs are not even workers. In this case, the confederations have no direct connection [with the wage increase]. It should have been the workers [who filed the suit],” said Aris.

“Is it true that they [confederations] really represent the workers of the 257 companies?” he continued.

Aris claimed that the wage postponement process was in line with procedures. Therefore, he demanded that the court dismiss the lawsuit.

Meanwhile, a member of the Advocacy Team for Workers for Better Wages, Arip Yogiawan, said that the lawsuit had represented the voice of all workers grouped in labor unions and confederations.

 “It is in line with Law No. 21/ 2000 on labor union, so the legal capacity is clear,” said Arip.