Where is the RM1.5k? - Contract worker group cries foul

Jaringan Pekerja Kontrak Kerajaan (JPKK) alleged that many contract cleaners and security guards in government schools have yet to receive their RM1,500 minimum wage salaries.

They said employers cited reasons such as the contracts between them and the government were still based on the old minimum wage.

This is despite the new minimum wage of RM1,500 a month, which was gazetted in April, coming into effect on May 1.

“Workers also complained that their contractors state the companies will continue paying them a minimum wage of up to RM1,200 until their contract ends.

“These companies will only implement the RM300 raise in salaries per month to RM1,500 after their contracts with the government have ended,” JPKK said in a statement.

JPKK added that some employers of the contract school cleaners allegedly told employees they were unable to financially support the sudden increase in the minimum wage, and promised to pay on an instalment basis.

The group stressed that the government should not award tenders to companies without first looking at their service record.

“There are too many companies operating in government schools that break the law by not giving workers their minimum wage, annual leave, and medical leave, and continue to operate without consequences.

“There are parties who also get repeated tenders despite many records of complaints from their employees,” JPKK said.

They urged the government to ensure the new RM1,500 minimum wage is carried out across all government sectors and to protect contract workers who have complained against their employers.

Employers who refuse to pay the minimum wage should be barred from government contracts, they added. - Mkini