No companies, or coffee shops for that matter, have closed shop due to losses over the years.
So,
for that matter, Sabah Malaysian Trades Union Congress (Sabah MTUC)
honorary secretary Catherine Jikunan said there was no reason why
employers could not afford to pay their workers the RM800 minimum wage
for Sabah.
“I believe employers have been making money all these
years. For instance, hotel owners have been saying that they could not
afford the minimum wage, but every now and then, they would carry out
major renovations for their hotels — so where is the justification?
“I
believe these renovation works are possible because the hotels are
making money, so it is unfair to say that they cannot afford to pay
RM800 for their staff when they are among the contributors to the
successful financial growth of the said hotels,” she said, sharing an
example when contacted by The Borneo Post, yesterday.
She also
described the requests by traders and chambers to the government to
review the implementation of the minimum wage which took effect on Jan 1
as ‘unfair’ as it was about time for the workers in the country to
enjoy the ‘fruits of their labour’, especially with the high cost of
living today.
“The minimum wage for Sabahan workers is RM100 lower than their counterparts in West Malaysia despite our high cost of living.
“Currently,
most employees, such as those working in coffee shops, sundry shops,
security guards or maids are getting between RM200 to RM500 monthly.
They have to pay for their room or house rent, transportation and food.
And for those with families, the expenses are higher — I do not think
they can support their family, or even their own needs with such low
salaries,” she said.
Jikunan added that Sabah MTUC had conducted
talks with the employers in the state to identify problems faced by the
employers and their workers.
“Most of them often compared foreign workers and the locals, saying that Sabahans were choosy and lazy people.
“I
believe that Sabahans are not choosy when it comes to work. But they
are demoralised when offered such low salaries. They rather stay in the
village as they earn more when they tap rubber or plant paddy.
“Plus,
I have been receiving positive comments from West Malaysian employers
that Sabahans are, in fact, good and hardworking employees.
“So if
employers can offer adequate salary and benefits, I am sure Sabahans
are willing to stay and work here, thus reducing our dependencies on
foreign workers,” she said.
She said foreign workers were willing
to work for low salaries because of the different currency factors. For
instance, when a Filipino or Indonesian worker sends money to their
families back home, it could come up to millions, unlike Sabahans who
live in the same currency nation.
“Employers keep telling us that
they are not ready to implement the minimum wage, so when are they ever
ready? They need a few years more to make huge profit before sharing it
with their employees? I cannot understand why bosses are so adamant,
they cannot continue exploiting the workers.
“Even now, consumers
are feeling the pinch, as some have started increasing prices, blaming
the government’s move to implement the minimum wage.
“If employers
are still adamant, I believe the government has to interfere and sit
down with the employers and make sure that workers earn what they
deserve,” she said.
Source: Borneo Post
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