222 employers statewide flout minimum wage rule
BY JAY WATSON KUCHING: A total of 222 employers throughout Sarawak have failed to comply with the government’s minimum wage policy set last year. Sarawak Labour Department director Awang Raduan Awang Omar said most of the errant employers owned business premises in remote areas. “In addition, they gave an excuse of not having any information […]
Impacts Ringgit strength, warns MEF
KUCHING: Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has estimated that the increase in minimum wages would add RM2.5 billion yearly in remittances to home countries, adding about seven percent to the estimated RM34 billion per year currently being remitted by foreign workers. “It is obvious that higher remittances made by foreign workers to their home countries would […]
Aliens will not benefit
KUCHING: Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF)’s attempt to paint the minimum wage increase as a scheme to benefit foreign workers instead of local workers has created fear and resentment. Sarawak Bank Employees Union chief executive officer (CEO) Andrew Lo said this in a joint statement with Union Network International-Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC) president Datuk Mohamed Shafie […]
Minimum wage — boon or bust?
The issue of minimum wage has grabbed the headlines. This is because starting January 2020, the minimum wage will be raised to RM1,200. However, before all employees get too excited, this RM1,200 minimum wage base rate will be limited only to workers in areas under the administration of 57 city councils and municipal councils. The […]
Pay RM1,200 to rural workers, too
KUCHING: Sarawak Workers Party thinks that the minimum wage of RM1,200 should be the same for the whole country and not limited only to workers in urban areas. Its president Munan Laja said, “Workers in the rural and small towns face more hardships.” He said those working in timber camps, oil palm plantations and […]
Stick to contract
Or get out of the business if you can’t pay minimum wage: MTUC KUCHING: Ceasing to provide accommodation and meals for workers at coffeeshops and restaurants is a breach of their contract, said Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) Sarawak secretary Andrew Lo. He said this after Kuching Coffeeshop and Restaurant Owners Association announced that its […]
Government mulls Cuepacs’ proposal of RM1,800
ALOR SETAR: The government will consider the proposal of the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs) which sought to fix the minimum salary of civil servants at RM1,800 a month. Deputy Human Resources Minister, Datuk Mahfuz Omar said the demand was one of the rights of Cuepacs in […]
Higher wage to offset rising costs
MINIMUM WAGE By Tania Lam & Mohammad Fikri Jamal KUCHING: The government’s decision to raise the minimum monthly wage is appropriate considering the rising cost of living. Effective January 1, 2020, the minimum monthly wage will be raised to RM1,200 in major towns under 57 city and municipality councils, while the minimum wage will remain […]
Workers glad, bosses fret
NEW MINIMUM WAGE KUCHING: The government’s decision to raise the minimum monthly wage has received a positive response from employees while in contrast, employers claim the move will be burdensome on them. Effective January 1, 2020, the minimum monthly wage will be raised to RM1,200 in major towns under 57 city and municipality councils, […]
