Stop Flip-Flopping On Minimum Wage Act, Govt Told.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and non-governmental organisation Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit) have told the government to stop flip-flopping over a Minimum Wage Act.

PSM chairman Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim said it is vital that the welfare of workers be taken care of as they are the backbone of the country.

“It seems like the government treats workers like commodities. They don’t treat them like humans; they don’t realise that workers have families too,” he said.

Mohd Nasir said the government’s recent decision to withdraw the minimum wage for security guards showed it has no political will to safeguard the interest of workers.

PSM and Jerit are also unhappy with the government’s proposed amendments to labour laws such as the Employment Act 1955, Industrial Relations Act 1967 and the Trade Unions Act 1959.

“It seems like the amendments are in favour of employers rather than workers. It’s modern day slavery. It’s sad that workers are not given their rights and respect,” Mohd Nasir said.

PSM central committee member V. Panneerselvam said the proposed amendments would make it easier to summarily lay off workers.

"In short, the principal can escape from paying benefits because these wage earners are not his workers.

“Also, if Employees Provident Fund and Social Security Organisation contributions are not paid properly, the contractor can say he is not the actual employer and that he is not responsible. The workers are short-changed in this catch-22 situation," he said.

Panneerselvam also said Section 25A of the 1955 Act requires employers to acquire the consent of workers to change the mode of payment of salaries.

“However, with the amendments, employers will not require consent and payment is automatically done through the banks," he said. “How is a plantation worker in some remote estate going to find a bank nearby? If his salary is RM200, it may cost him RM30 to go to a bank to withdraw his salary. How is this convenient for the worker?"

PSM deputy chairman M. Sarasvathy said the government should stop amending labour laws and instead introduce a retrenchment fund, Minimum Wage Act, the automatic registration of trade unions and termination benefits for workers.

She said the party will conduct a nationwide roadshow to educate workers on their rights.

“We will also work with the Malaysian Trades Union Congress to push for a national protest,” she said.