Set minimum wage, firms told

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PRIVATE companies in Selangor are encouraged to have a minimum wage scale to complement the policy introduced by the state government.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim announced a RM1,500 minimum wage for employees in state government-linked companies (GLCs) when he tabled the 2012 budget at the state assembly last week.

Kota Damansara assemblyman Dr Nasir Hashim said with a minimum wage, there would be more job security, loyalty and integrity among the employees.

Many employees who earned below RM1,500 depended on overtime to make ends meet, Dr Nasir said during the Taman Subang Baru PKNS Deepavali open house recently.

Variety of dishes: Taman Subang Baru PKNS residents making a line for the food at the gathering.

“During an economic crisis, these claims will be taken away and it will be a struggle for them. Implementing the policy in Selangor GLCs is a first step towards protecting our workers,” the Parti Sosialis Malaysia chairman said.

“In return, employees benefiting from the minimum wage policy need to improve their skills to justify the pay increase,” he said.

He added that the RM10mil fund announced in the 2012 budget was a welcomed allocation that would be used to provide training for these employees.

“I urge private companies operating in Selangor to also consider the minimum wage policy in tandem with the state to attract better workers,” he said.

Also present at the Deepavali open house were Subang MP Sivarasa Rasiah and Shah Alam city councillor James Ng Boon Teck.