True to form, the Umno-BN-led government is adopting a ‘give-and-take’ policy with respect to workers. It has included foreign workers in the minimum wage policy but then forces them to absorb the foreign workers’ levies.
This shows that the government is pro-employers rather than pro-workers.
Employers may be providing accommodation to workers, but what kind of accommodation is that? Also, accommodation may be provided but it could also end up restricting the workers’ freedom of movement and association.
When it comes to local workers, you have all kinds of handouts – 1this and 1that, BR1M1.0 and BR1M2.0, etc. But when the elections are over – and if the BN wins – you can expect electricity bills to go up and GST to be introduced, no? Let the BN government deny that this is the case – if they can.
So don’t think that this is an issue that only affects foreign workers.
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Anil, You missed the point totally. The minimum wage policy is to protect Malaysian workers. When there are no wage difference between Malaysian and migrant workers, employers will opt to employ Malaysians. The idea has always been to protect Malaysian workers and to guarantee employment opportunities to Malaysians. I just don’t understand why just because a partisan PR supporter don’t support BN, they switch off their brains. If its good for Malaysians vis-a-vis foreign workers, this should be supported! I don’t want to Malaysia to become like Singapore where 50% of their population are foreigners. As it is, just try… Read more »
We need to protect all workers, not just Malaysian workers, to ensure there is no discrimination among workers. Wouldn’t you want Malaysian workers in other countries to be treated fairly and without any discrimination compared to the locals in those countries?
I also have a problem with your last sentence: would the Malaysians working in Singapore – and there are hundreds of thousands of them – be classified as locals or foreigners in Singapore?
Anil, The rational for the minimum wage policy is to reduce the dependancies on foreign workers. It is not to benefit foreign workers. Therefore, requiring the levy to be paid be borne by the foreign workers is consistent with the intention of the policy. As to Malaysian working in Singapore, you just have to accept that there will be difference between a citizen/PR and a migrant worker. It happens! Just live with it. In Singapore, it is the foreign workers issue that cause PAP to loose in the recent bye elections. Clearly the Singaporeans dont want their country to be… Read more »
Actually very good point why PR has not yet to return to the message that after GE, if UMNO/BN wins taxes and prices will go UP! UP! UP!..Voters EVERYWHERE will vote against higher taxes and higher prices, don’t care what race OR religion or the excuse for it..
That BN crony (may) GIVE money to sponsor the Psy performance in Penang, then he (may) TAKE lucrative contracts from BN to recover the costs and make money to sponsor another BN’s so-called entertaiment for gullible rakyat.
Anil, minimum wages is a breakthrough for Malaysia. Still no praise for BN ??? But you make dunno about PAS Islamic ruling for all ??? Be fair to both side even you are pakatan supporter.
The main point for minimum wages is to benefit local workers.
It is actually a BN’s incentive o foreign workers to embrace Islam, live and behave like malays to qualify for a blue IC, then they do not need to pay levy but enjoy minimum wage and bumi status, so long as they vote for BN in the election.
When it comes to local workers, you have all kinds of handouts – 1this and 1that, BR1M1.0 and BR1M2.0, etc. But when the elections are over – and if the BN wins – you can expect electricity bills to go up and GST to be introduced, no? Let the BN government deny that this is the case – if they can. This is what I have been saying since day 1. So if you continue with BN don`t say you have not been warned. Yes take the goodies and vote PR. With the same minimum wages for foreigners and local… Read more »
The key to justice for Malaysian workers wrt. foreigners and control over the fascists is to ensure that all workers get the same benefits. E.g.
– union membership for foreigners also.
– housing for Malaysians also.
The latest news that it is the foreigners and not their emloyers who will pay levies means that “deductions” for levies will be used as an excuse to pay them less.