MTUC’s Parliament gathering calls for minimum wage
By SIM LEOI LEOI and PAUL CHOO (The Star)
KUALA LUMPUR: Hundreds of people stood in solidarity with the call by Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) for a RM900 minimum wage and provision of an RM300 Cost of Living Allowance outside Parliament on Wednesday.
The peaceful gathering sought to hand a 14-page memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi voicing their intent.
Supporters had gathered from as early as 9am, waving banners and posters as policemen and Light Strike Force officers monitored the situation.
Some jeered and chanted that the prices of goods had increased, and urged the Government to address the issues.
Several labour union heads also expressed their grievances before they were asked to disperse by the police at 11.30am.
MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud who led the assembly said they were unable to hand over the memorandum as Abdullah was overseas on official business.
Syed Shahrir, who met with pressmen in the Parliament lobby later, said that they would not stop until their intent has been met.
He said that the Government’s explanation that an RM900 minimum wage could not be met due to various reasons including inflation was unacceptable.
“This is a national issue that affects everyone, and the Government should not delay it any further.
“How can inflation be used as an excuse when in 2007, a 7.5% to 40% increase in civil servants salary had also been announced. Do we see any inflation now? This is a weak argument from the Government,” he said.
Syed said MTUC would continue diligently with their cause.
Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abd Aziz, who received the memorandum on the Premier’s behalf, said he sympathised with MTUC’s plight.
“Because PM is in Dubai, I will personally hand over their memorandum to him when he gets back.
“And I will ensure that this matter is brought up for discussion in Cabinet later,” he said.
Asked if MTUC should not have resorted to a demonstration or picket to voice their grouses, Nazri said the union should not be blamed.
“This is because previously, they found it hard to voice their grouses. But now that they have successfully handed over the memorandum, they will use less confrontational means,” he said.
