B40 Workers Counting On Govt For Minimum Wage Decision Mtuc

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B40 workers are counting on the government amid pushback to implement a minimum wage of RM1,500 by this year.
Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said they are particularly the government contract cleaners comprising local workers.
"Cleaners, particularly those under government contract who are all Malaysians, are putting their hopes on the new minimum wage of RM1,500 as they will see an adjustment to their wages for the first time in 15 years.
"The new minimum wage should be a priority for the government and studies and discussions should not be delayed for a long time," he said in a statement.
Kamarul said studies on the matter should have already been completed and the government should be ready to make a decision.
He added that the government should focus on attracting investors that can pay workers a decent wage.
Kamarul praised some companies that have taken it upon themselves to implement the new minimum wage of RM1,500 even before a government-enforced mandate comes into force, expected at the end of this year.
MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin MansorAmong the companies included Aeon Co (M) Bhd which on Feb 15 revealed that they have increased the minimum wage for its Grade G employees from RM1,200 to RM1,500.
Kamarul said it reflected the commitment to take care of the welfare of workers.
He also criticised the government for failing to convene the National Labour Advisory Council since 2020.
He said the council was essential to discuss labour issues, including the minimum wage, forced labour and changes to labour law.
Kamarul added that millions of workers will be thankful for a higher minimum wage and the objections are coming from a minority.
Several employers group, including the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, have expressed reluctance at increasing the minimum wage to RM1,500 by the end of this year.
Let market dictate wages
Separately, the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) called on the government to prioritise the survival of its members throughout the economic recovery period.
Among others, Samenta president William Ng said the new proposed minimum wage has caught his members with disbelief, arguing instead that the market should be allowed to dictate wages for various industries and job roles.
Samenta president William Ng"Wages should be tied to productivity and output. A forced increment at this fragile stage of our economy is sending a mixed signal to businesses, especially SMEs, that any effort at recovery would be to dampen costs pressure on consumers, rather than in saving our SMEs and to catch up on lost growth.
"As it is, most businesses are already paying above RM 1,500 to local workers, so an increment in the minimum wage is unnecessary and is counter-productive.
"We are facing a triple whammy of rising costs, labour challenges and an unstable political environment.
"Until and unless these are resolved or substantially mitigated, any hope of a full recovery to pre-pandemic level is an unrealistic illusion," he added.
Ng claimed that recent policy announcements by the government had ignored not only the 5.6 percent negative growth in 2020 but also the compounding effect of the contraction on Malaysia's economy.
As such, he said the government must be realistic in trying to implement adjustments that would affect SMEs, arguing that proposed wages increment or electricity bill hike did not account for this compounded loss.
Further, Ng also called for an immediate halt in the increment to electricity bills, for borders to be fully reopened and for the government to declare Covid-19 as an endemic in Malaysia.
"Samenta remains supportive of the government in helping SMEs recover from the pandemic and is working with various government agencies to help ease this transition," he added. - Mkini

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