KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) says suppressing wages for cleaners and security guards in schools and public buildings is akin to a type of "forced labour".
MTUC said it would also recommend such grievances, if not resolved, to be brought to the International Labour Conference under the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said a survey found contractors were holding out on paying their cleaners and security guards the RM1,500 minimum wage that came into effect on May 1.
"This is something extremely sad. It's clearly a kind of forced labour imposed on Malaysian workers," he said in a statement.
Parti Sosialis Malaysia had recently claimed cleaners and guards at seven out of 10 schools they surveyed in different parts of the country did not receive the RM1,500 monthly minimum wage.
MTUC also recorded complaints from security guards in schools and government buildings on employers withholding overtime pay for completed shifts.
Kamarul said it was unfortunate that workers were denied their rights to minimum wage after struggling to rebuild the pandemic-hit economy.
He said there was insufficient pressure on the Human Resources Ministry and other agencies to rectify the matter.
"The government has to be serious and not be selective in enforcing the updated Minimum Wage Order.
"There should be no more waiting until reports are lodged. There needs to be immediate and holistic action levelled against flouters of this order."
Kamarul said that there must be continuous and aggressive checks by the Labour Department to ensure compliance with the rule.
"The government and employers should understand the urgent need for these workers to be paid the dues as per the minimum wage requirement."
Kamarul added that a majority of Malaysians were now facing pressures related to rising cost of living.
"MTUC is confident that the government and employers certainly do not want to see these workers go out on the streets to protest or picket to voice their dissatisfaction over the withheld wages.
"MTUC calls on the government and employers to immediately implement the wages. If this continues and there is neither serious nor immediate action to be taken by the government and employers, MTUC recommends that their grievances be taken to the International Labour Conference under the ILO.
"We cannot side with anyone involved with any practice of forced labour, especially when it involves local workers."