RADAR TULUNGAGUNG – Clarity on the 2026 Tulungagung District Minimum Wage (UMK) has started drawing responses from the legislature.

Commission B of the Tulungagung Regional House of Representatives views the projected IDR 2.6 million as realistic, given current economic conditions and the population’s purchasing power.

Widodo Prasetyo, Chair of Commission B of the Tulungagung Regional House of Representatives, said that the IDR 200,000 increase from last year’s IDR 2.4 million is a welcome step forward.

He noted that the figure is reasonable, given frequent feedback from residents who have long struggled with a minimum wage that lags behind the cost of living.

“The increase is fair. As council members, we communicate regularly with the people of Tulungagung, and anything less would make life difficult for them,” he explained.

Nevertheless, the Gerindra political party acknowledges that setting the minimum wage is not one-sided.

While the increase is good news for workers, businesses face challenges, as not all companies have the financial capacity to implement the raise immediately and uniformly.

Sluggish economic conditions in recent years have left Tulungagung’s market and consumer demand somewhat unstable.

Nevertheless, Widodo sees potential in the micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) sector, which is showing early signs of positive growth, especially in surrounding areas.

”Fortunately, UMKM, which faced challenges in previous years, are now gaining momentum in both urban and rural areas,”he said.

“As an example, regarding the UMK in the southern Tulungagung region, specifically in Besuki near Niyama, public enthusiasm and purchasing power have been remarkably high,” he added.

Commission B of the Tulungagung Regional House of Representatives plans to hold more intensive dialogue early next year to address potential employer objections.

Widodo stated that meetings involving the local government, business associations, and labor representatives are needed to align perspectives and ensure economic growth goes hand in hand with worker welfare.

He emphasized that supporting businesses is not just about wage regulations, but also about fostering communication to change mindsets and address challenges faced by employers.

“This is absolutely necessary. We need to engage with business owners across Tulungagung Regency,” he said. (dit/c1/rka)