Give local workers priority when implementing minimum wage policy – Shareda

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) believes that local workers should be given priority first when implementing the minimum wage policy before being extended to foreign workers.

Its president, Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen made the suggestion when welcoming the State Government’s readiness to accept recommendations and views from both employers and employees on the implementation of the RM800 minimum monthly wage policy in Sabah.

“Of course, it will be better if the minimum wage can be lowered but if it has to be implemented (as it is), it will be better if it benefit Malaysian workers and delayed from imposing it for foreign workers,” she said when asked to comment about the minimum wage policy yesterday.

“I think the wages for foreign workers should be market-driven since employers were also paying levy for them.

“From my experience, construction site work is tougher than other jobs so they usually get paid more than RM800, but what is important is that this policy looks after the benefit of locals,” stated Susan.

“The minimum wage policy will take away the opportunity for employers to employ temporary workers.

“Like my company, we used to take in fresh school leavers who wanted to work at our factory for a few months just to gain experience and earn some pocket money. They don’t mind being paid the RM18 daily wages (about RM540 per month),” reflected Susan.

She suggested that it would be good if the policy can be made flexible, for instance those who are serious in their work will be considered for the wage increment while those who show less performance will not be subjected to the wage adjustments.

“Since the minimum wage policy will be implemented, we now have to select quality employees for more productivity,” said Susan.

Deputy Chief Minister cum Resources Development and IT Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai issued a statement on Thursday, saying the State Cabinet made the decision in view of the teething problem faced by employers and employees during the early stage of the policy’s implementation.

Dr Yee said all the recommendations and feedback would be conveyed to the Federal Government for consideration. The policy was gazetted middle of last year and it was supposed to be imposed beginning January this year.