KUALA TERENGGANU, Aug 9 — The Unity Government’s effort to finding funds to cover some of the payment for the salary adjustment of workers in the private sector shows that it gives high priority to the group’s welfare and interests.
Hotel worker Masitah Alias, 38, said private sector workers also deserve to be given protection and attention by the government because they also contribute to the national economy.
She said that the salary adjustment not only allows private sector workers to get a more commensurate payment, but is also able to boost the economy through increased spending by the people in the country.
“I have been working for 15 years in the food and beverage industry with a basic salary of RM1,700. If you ask me, it’s not worth it but what to do, 15 years ago there was no minimum wage.
“When I first started working, my basic salary did not even reach RM1,000. I had to rely on tips and overtime to earn more,” she said.
Therefore, she hopes that there will be coordination and implementation of the minimum wage by sector to avoid workers being oppressed.
A similar opinion was shared by financial sector worker, Nurul Nazila Ngah, 41, who thinks that workers in the sector are not paid a salary commensurate with their productivity.
“I have many relatives who work in factories, the food industry and others. They are working under pressure because the wages received are very low.
“With the increase in the cost of living which is becoming more and more pressing today, it is necessary for the government to adjust salaries so that private sector workers are not oppressed by irresponsible employers,” she said.
