1.3 million Malaysian workforce earns less than RM700

By G Vinod and Fazy Sahir

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has called upon the government to introduce a minimum wage policy to assist those below the poverty line.

“We came to know that 34% of the 1.3 million Malaysian workforce earns less than RM700 a month. How are we to attain high-income economy status when these people can't even pay for their basic needs?” he asked.

On Aug 5, Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam said the government was currently mulling introducing a minimum wage policy as it realised that wages have not increased over the years.

The proposed minimum wage would not only cover local workers but also foreign workers employed in the country.

Speaking at a press conference at Putra World Trade Centre here, Khairy said the government could no longer allow market forces to dictate wages as the government had a moral obligation to address the low income workers.

“Our inflation rate has soared but our income level does not commensurate with the rising cost of living. For example, we found out that a multinational company down south is offering workers with SPM qualification a salary of RM540 monthly. How are they to sustain themselves with that salary?” he asked.

Khairy said BN Youth would call for a forum soon to discuss the matter together with the

Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) and Cuepacs.

“We will hold this forum soon to deliberate on the matter and we will submit our resolution to the government,” he said.

Asked whether BN Youth would be calling for a national minimum wage or a sectorial-based minimum wage, he said that the wage mode would also be discussed during the forum.

“At the end of the day, it should be fair to all sectors and I hope the minimum wage policy can be introduced before the New Economic Model kickstarts in October,” he said.

MIC Youth chief T Mohan, who was also present, said that they are currently looking at the possibility of RM900 as minimum wage rate.

In another development, Khairy disagreed with calls by certain Malay groups for vernacular schools in Malaysia to be abolished.

“The setting up of vernacular schools was agreed to by our founding fathers and their existence is protected by our constitution,” he said.

On Aug 22, the Malay Consultative Council (MPM) called on the government to abolish Tamil and Chinese vernacular schools

They said the different types of schooling systems could cause racial misunderstandings among the people.

Khairy said what was more important was to improve the quality of education.