'Minimum wage should not apply to foreign workers'

Kota Kinabalu: The minimum wage policy must prioritise local workers first before it is extended to the foreign workforce, said Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) President Datuk Susan Wong. 

She said 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 was good news. 

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai who is also Resources Development and Information Technology Minister said the State Cabinet made the decision in view of the teething problem faced by employers and employees during the early stage of implementation. 

Dr Yee said all the recommendations and feedback would be conveyed to the Federal Government for consideration. 

"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 delay imposing it for foreign workers," she said when asked. 

She believed 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 paid more than RM800 but what is important is that this policy looks after the benefit of locals," she said. 

Another issue deriving from the implementation of the minimum wage policy, she said was that employers like her would not be able to employ temporary workers anymore. 

"We use 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).

"But I think we have to focus on those who are serious to work and avoid but to lay off workers performing less functions.

"It is good if the policy can be made flexibleÉwe (now) have to select quality employees for more productivity," she said.

Many trade organisations in Sabah had voiced out their grievances on the implementation saying that it would cause higher operation cost and some such as coffee shops had already increased their prices.

The policy was gazetted middle of last year and it was supposed to be imposed beginning January.