Progressive salary : MTUC hopes Putrajaya keeps its word, not just mere political game

SHAH ALAM - Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) hopes Putrajaya's desire to implement progressive wages is not just a mere political agenda.

Its Secretary-General Kamarul Baharin Mansor added the implementation needs to be turned into reality to guarantee the rights of workers who still receive inadequate wages despite their hard work.

Therefore, he urged the government to intervene in ensuring the implementation of the annual salary increase and not let the effort be determined by market forces.

"The government needs to intervene in relation to the annual increase because of the stubbornness and greed of companies prevent salary increase.

"Market forces cannot determine the price of labour because workers have responsibilities to family and society. Workers are not machines or tradable commodities.

"MTUC hopes that progressive wages will become a reality and not just a political toy. Employees are confident that the Madani government has compassion for workers who are under pressure," he said in a statement, today.

Earlier,Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said the ministry is collaborating with the Human Resources ministry in drafting policies that will be presented to the National Economic Action Council to discuss the best strategy to increase the wages.

Kamarul Baharin added that employers' reluctance to implement progressive wages is expected since they do not support the implementation of minimum wage of RM1,500 a month.

Therefore, he said the government needs to find a method to ensure progressive wages can be realised, benefiting the majority in the country.

"The minimum wage policy that started in 2013 did not require employers to give an annual increase to employees and caused employees' salaries to be stagnant with some of them serving for more than 25 years with a salary of RM1,500.