MTUC: Stimulus package for SMEs fails to protect workers’ job security, those earning between RM4,000 and RM8,000
The additional RM10 billion stimulus package for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) does not adequately protect workers whose wages fall between RM4,000 and RM8,000, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) said.
(MMO) – In a statement today, the MTUC’s secretary-general J. Solomon said the additional wage subsidy on top of an earlier RM250 billion recently announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin only covers employees who earn RM4,000 and below in monthly salary.
“The government has once again passed up the chance to address the plight of workers earning between RM4,000 to RM8,000.
“We must make it clear that while we appreciate the government giving these workers a one-off handout of RM1,000, the money is hardly able to sustain them beyond two weeks or so.
“What this category of workers urgently require is a firm commitment from the government and employers that their jobs are safe,” said Solomon.
He pointed out that, as these workers are not covered directly in any of the government rescue plans for SMEs, they are at the complete mercy of employers as a priority target for lay-offs or wage cuts to reduce overheads.
“In other words, the government’s initiatives to avoid mass retrenchments remain a stark possibility for workers earning RM4,000 to RM8,000.
