MTUC threatens action if cleaners, guards not paid minimum wage

 

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) is claiming that some contract cleaners and security guards at government hospitals and buildings are underpaid.

This, they said, is four months after the new minimum wage of RM1,500 came into force.

In a statement today, MTUC threatened to raise the forced labour issue at the international level, namely at the annual International Labour Conference if no serious action is taken against employers.

“Our survey found contractors who hire cleaners and security guards at schools and government buildings have not implemented the new minimum wage.

“We also received complaints from security guards in schools and government buildings who have yet to be given their overtime pay. This is very sad,” said MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor (above).

“It is very unfortunate these workers cannot enjoy their absolute rights as an employee,” he added.

Labelling it forced labour, Kamarul said the government must take a serious look at the implementation of the minimum wage for the affected workers.

“The reluctance and non-compliance of the employers clearly shows a lack of concern in respecting the rule of law.

“When we witness this happening to vulnerable groups such as migrant workers, many will speak up for them. But, the narrative is different when comes to local workers.

“Suffice to say that not many people want to know nor would they continue mounting pressure against the employers and the government,” he said.

Don’t wait for complaints

Kamarul said the government should not take sides or be selective in taking action against errant employers who are stubborn and defy the new minimum wage order.

There also should not be a need to wait until a complaint is made, he said.

“Continuous inspection by the Labour Department enforcement team needs to be carried out aggressively to ensure compliance.

“The government and employers need to understand the urgent need for these workers to enjoy their share of minimum wage as most Malaysians are grappling with the rising cost of living.

“Definitely the government and employers do not these workers to take to the streets or picket over not getting minimum wage,” he said.

The MTUC reiterates its call for the government and employers to immediately implement the new wage, he stressed.

If this non-compliance continues, Kamarul warned, we will resort to other actions.

The new minimum wage rate of RM1,500 per month took effect nationwide on May 1, with an exemption for employers with fewer than five employees.

The new order also applies to employees who are paid on a daily or hourly basis. In daily wages, this translates to RM57.69 for a six-day work week; RM69.23 (five-day work week); and RM86.54 (four-day work week).

Responding to MTUC's claims, Human Resources Minister M Saravanan said when the minimum wage was raised for all workers in the country, the contracts between the workers’ employers and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) as well as the Ministry of Health had not yet expired.

Although he was not able to estimate when the contracts would be revised, he gave his assurance that the new contracts would reflect the minimum wage of RM1,500.

“In principle, MOF has agreed to revise the contracts,” he said when asked at a press conference today. - Mkini