Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
PRESS STATEMENT
13 August 2010
MEF’s opposition against a minimum wage is untenable
Arguing against MEF’s vehement opposition against Government’s intervention to set a minimum wage, MTUC Secretary General G.Rajasekaran says Shamsuddin Baradan’s dogmatism is beyond comprehension.
A minimum wage will not in anyway interfere with employer’s attempt to reward performance and productivity. Government, having determined that anyone earning less than RM720 is deemed to be living in poverty, cannot ignore their findings that hundreds of thousands of workers are earning far below RM720.
MTUC is not asking the Government to regulate the entire wage administration in the private sector. We only want the Government to set the lowest wage level for unskilled workers, said G.Rajasekaran.
By setting a minimum wage, Government will ensure decent work for even the lowest category of workers but will take a realistic first step to reduce our dependency on foreign workers.
MTUC is fully conscious of the power and influence of powerfull corporations and tycoons who eager to pocket lions share of their profits, will go to great length to derail government’s plans to implement a minimum wage.
G.Rajasekaran
Secretary General
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com