West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi Condemns Low Wages on Rp3 Trillion Road Project, Threatens Contractor Blacklist
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi expressed strong condemnation after discovering that workers on a major road construction project were being paid wages far below regional standards, threatening to place offending contractors on a blacklist for violating labor regulations.
During a field inspection of a road asphalt project in Subang Regency, Governor Dedi Mulyadi questioned workers about their daily earnings. The governor was shocked to learn that heavy equipment operators were receiving only Rp80,000 to Rp90,000 per day, with some reporting weekly earnings of Rp800,000 to Rp900,000 including overtime.
“Bapak operator alat berat? Berapa gajinya sehari?” Dedi Mulyadi asked one worker, according to verified sources. The worker responded: “80-90an sehari. Paling seminggunya saya terima Rp900 ribu, sudah termasuk lemburan.”
Other workers confirmed similarly low pay, with one stating: “Sehari Rp80 ribu pak. Paling seminggu dapat Rp800 ribu.” The governor’s reaction was one of disbelief: “Hah? Kok murah?”
The governor emphasized that these wages were inconsistent with the project’s Rencana Anggaran Biaya (RAB), which mandates that heavy equipment operators – classified as skilled workers – should receive between Rp180,000 and Rp220,000 per day.
After consulting with the Head of the West Java Department of Bina Marga and Penataan Ruang (DBMPR), Agung Wahyudi, Dedi Mulyadi confirmed that the RAB specifications for skilled operator wages fall within the Rp180,000-Rp220,000 daily range.
The governor criticized the payment structure, noting that workers were being paid on an hourly or daily basis rather than through a lump-sum (borongan) system appropriate for construction projects. “Harian? Bukankah ini kontraktornya berarti kan borongan. Seharusnya kerjanya dihitung borongan dong. Hitungnya kan berapa kilometer, panjang berapa, lebar berapa, kedalaman berapa,” Dedi Mulyadi stated.
He further explained: “Kalau harian, berarti bapak kan kategorinya operator. Operator itu masuk upah ahli. Saya tanya kepala PU-nya. Ini penting pak. Artinya proyek-proyek ini harus mensejahterakan rakyat.”
Dedi Mulyadi warned that contractors paying wages below the established standards would face consequences, stating he would “memasukkan kontraktor yang membayar upah rendah atau di bawah standar ke dalam daftar hitam (blacklist).”
The inspection also revealed additional concerns beyond wage discrepancies. Officials found inconsistencies in asphalt thickness, with some areas measuring only 3 cm compared to the required 5 cm for compacted layers. Work conducted during rainy nights was cited as contributing to poor quality requiring rework.
the governor criticized the performance of project supervisors, noting that one consultant appeared confused when questioned about basic project details and lacked appropriate measuring equipment. It was discovered that the supervisor had an electrical engineering background rather than the civil engineering expertise relevant to road construction.
The governor stressed the importance of regulatory compliance and proper project execution in accordance with the RAB to ensure public funds are managed correctly.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in infrastructure project oversight in Indonesia, where wage compliance and quality control remain persistent concerns despite significant investments in national development projects.
As of the latest available information, no official blacklist has been published, and the governor’s office has not released further updates on specific contractors identified during the inspection.
For continued coverage of infrastructure developments and labor rights issues in Indonesian construction projects, readers are encouraged to follow official announcements from the West Java Provincial Government.
