SHAH ALAM, 27 JAN: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) urged the Federal Government to not entertain the requests of anyone who asks for exemption in implementing the RM900 minimum wage system.
Its Vice President, Abdullah Sani, said that this minimum wage should be implemented because the increase in living costs which has been pressing of late.
He said that MTUC itself will object if anyone is exempt from this implementation.
“We cannot accept it, conspire or agree with those trying to betray the people of Malaysia because this minimum wage will increase income and sustain our country.
“Do not entertain (those who want exemptions). This is my advice to the government. It should be implemented,” he told Selangor Kini.
He explained that the minimum wage will not be exempt for anyone, whether local workers or foreign workers.
“There is no exemption. Do not sympathise with companies raking in profit but the people are being made the victims.
“No one is exempt.
“As long as the definition of work is under Section 2 of the Employment Act 1955, they are automatically bound,” he said.
Prior to this, the Malaysian Textile Manufacturing Association (MTMA) appealed for Putrajaya to consider the appeal for the textile industry to be exempt from the implementation of the minimum wage to ensure their continuity.
Among the reasons brought up by the industry includes the six-month probationary period with the minimum wage of RM900 will not profit them as employees within the period do not contribute anything.
