22. Dormant Wages Council

from Malaysiakini

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has criticised the government for failing to review wages set by the wages council over the past few years.

MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran said in a statement today that the wages council, contrary to claims by the government, had not been making necessary adjustment to wages.

Citing an example, Rajasekaran said that the Wages Council had not reviewed minimum wages for cargo handlers since 1977. At present, the minimum wage for workers in this category is RM120.Other sectors cited by Rajasekaran include shop assistants (RM250, since 1981), cinema workers (RM175, 1981) and workers in the hospitality industry (RM185, 1982)."It is obvious government has turned a blind eye to the plight of workers under the above sectors.

They have failed miserably in managing the wages councils," he said. Rajasekaran was responding to Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam's reply during question time at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday to Hamim Samuri (BN - Ledang)."The government would always study and determine the minimum wage according to each industry should the need arise(through the wages council)," said Subramaniam.

Minister's reply 'illogical, ridiculous'

Subramaniam also said that the government would not implement a uniform minimum wage policy as it would affect the country's competitiveness.He said that wages would instead by determined by market forces, collective agreements and the wages council.

In reiterating MTUC's position that a minimum wage policy needed to be implemented, Rajasekaran said that the government should not discriminate workers based on their industries."Is the cost of fuel different depending on the sector one is employed? Is the cost of food and essential commodities made available at different prices dependent on the sector one is employed?" asked Rajasekaran. He added that Subramaniam's reply in Dewan Rakyat was "illogical and ridiculous".

See my article " Employees Picket" - The Editor.