The Wage Law of Indonesia: Islam and the Indonesian Legal System

Abstract

Under Islamic law, based on the Qur'an and Hadith, one has the obligation, and the right, to get a job. The Qur'an is opposed to laziness, idleness, and not engaging in productive activity. Employees must work as well as possible for their salary, while employers must pay a decent wage in recognition of the good performance of workers. The Indonesian national wage system is regulated in Act Number 13, Year 2003, which addresses the use of manpower and sets forth the formalities governing and guaranteeing the rights and obligations of workers and employers. However, in practice, workers are often paid low wages for various reasons. To achieve a decent wage for productive workers, practices must be supported by good, harmonious, and moral cooperation between employers and workers. Both parties constitute one entity in carrying out work; they are not opponents. The standards for the behavior of both parties, in addition to national law, are based on Islamic values ​​set forth in the Qur'an and Hadith.