NUBE disappointed with Pakatan on floor wage policy

Bank employees union says rejection of RM1,500 wage proposal is disheartening and urges the opposition coalition to be consistent in its policies.

PETALING JAYA: The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) today said it was disappointed with Pakatan Rakyat for rejecting the RM1,500 minimum wage proposal.

NUBE general secretary J Solomon said Pakatan’s rejection of the proposal was very disheartening to workers and urged the opposition coalition to be consistent when it comes to workers’ welfare.

He pointed out that the Selangor government had already implemented RM1,500 as the minimum wage in all government-linked companies last year.

Soloman was responding to assertions by several Pakatan leaders that the Malaysia Workers Network’s demand of RM1,500 as the base salary was not applicable at the moment.

PKR director of strategy, Rafizi Ramli, had said the country could only afford a minimum wage of RM1,100, otherwise it would have adverse impact on industries.

Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly Ahmad also said the RM1,500 proposal was not sustainable as it would be counter-productive to workers in the market.

Base salary criteria taken from ILO

Solomon in a press statement today said: “We believe RM1,500 is an appropriate figure for the minimum level of sustenance for anyone anywhere in the country.”

He explained the criteria used to arrive at RM1,500 was from the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 131, which protects disadvantaged groups of wage earners.

“Workers in this country have been dealt the poor end of bargains since independence with repressive labour laws,” said Solomon.

“The government apparatus in dealing with workers’ and trade union issues are heavier handed than even the repressive laws allows them to be.

“If we are indeed aspiring to move towards a high-skilled economy, we should have no problems in paying a higher wages for specialised skills,” he added.

Solomon, however, remained hopeful and is willing to discuss the matter further with concerned political parties to determine the best solution.

“We are ready to discuss this matter with the various political parties which have shown an interest in the workers’ manifesto,” he said.