ALOR SETAR: The implementation of the RM1,500 minimum wage for the public sector is not part of Pakatan Harapan’s 100 days manifesto, but its five-year plan.
Deputy Human Resources Minister, Datuk Mahfuz Omar, said he wished to clarify that the pledge was not something that was promised to be completed in 100 days, but will try to be accomplished before the end of PH’s five-year term.
“We are currently studying it. Efforts (to implement the minimum wage) have begun and we are confident of achieving it,” he said.
Mahfuz said the minimum wage implementation will also be reviewed every two years to assess its relevancy.
The matter, he said, is being studied by the National Wages Consultative Council before being brought to the Cabinet.
Mahfuz earlier handed over Social Security Organisation (Socso) benefits to Salihah Che Pi, the widow of Johari Zakaria, 60, who died at a furniture factory in Gunung Keriang following a storm.
Salihah received RM2,000 and will also receive Johari’s pension of RM500 a month.
In the first five months of this year, Sosco had managed RM20 million in workers benefits, compared to last year, which saw them pay out around RM44 million.
Meanwhile, Mahfuz said all contract and part-time workers in the private sector should ensure that they are covered by Socso.
He said he was told that there are many in the private sector who do not ensure that contract and part-time workers are covered by Socso.
“I will raise this matter with the Human Resources Minister, M Kulasegaran to ensure that employers fulfil this responsibility. But before that, the workers themselves need to make their voices heard on their rights,” he said.