IPOH, May 1 (Bernama) -- Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the National Wage Consultation Council bill will be tabled in the next Parliament session.
Subramaniam said once passed, the implementation (of the minimum wage) and all future decisions on it will be done through the council based on the power which will be provided by the new Act.
"The council will be the main platform for wage determination in the country. Through the council we will announce certain measures needed for the minimum wage requirement in the private sector," he told reporters at the Cuepacs National Labour Day celebrations at the Indera Mulia stadium here Sunday.
Subramaniam said the Ministry's study in 2009 which covered 1.3 million workers in the country showed that 33.8 per cent of them received a salary of less than RM700 per month, which was below the poverty line of RM720 per month.
He said the salary of workers in the manufacturing sector, especially electrical and electronic sectors was RM500-RM550, textiles RM500-RM600, furniture RM550-RM700, plastics RM550-RM650 and rubber gloves RM500-RM650.
As such, said Subramaniam, the standardization and determination of a new pay structure must be carried out to ensure that the people in the country did not lag behind as the country progressed.
Meanwhile, in conjunction with Labour Day today, the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) reiterated its demand to the government to implement six request quickly.
MTUC vice president A. Balasubramaniam said the six claims were for the government to implement the RM900 a month as minimum wage, reduce compulsory working hours from 48 to 40 a week, increase retirement age to 60, set retirement age benefit at a month's salary for every year served, abolish the contract workers and ensure a safe working environment plus the setting up of child care centres at work place.
"In conjunction with Labour Day we urge the government to not drag its feet in implementing the minimum wage scheme. Based on government statistics, 34 percent workers are paid wages that are below the poverty line," he said.
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