Human Resources Minister M Saravanan has promised a review of the national minimum wage.
The minister announced this move at Himpunan Marhaen, an online festival of forums on poverty eradication organised by Gabungan Marhaen.
There will be good news regarding increasing the national minimum wage in the near future, Saravanan (above) said.
“In the current challenging economic situation, the Human Resources Ministry understands the difficulties faced by workers in securing high wages.ADS
“(Therefore), the government is holding discussions on raising the national minimum wage. As human resources minister, I will ensure that the welfare of workers is protected,” he said at a forum held yesterday by Gabungan Marhaen.
It is believed that a revaluation of the national minimum wage will be announced in early 2022.
Saravanan, who officiated the forum, added in his speech that the doors of his office would always be open to hearing the issues faced by workers.
Himpunan Marhaen aims to act as an avenue for grassroots groups to share their experiences on issues that they face during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The forum’s panellists included UNI-Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC) president Mohamed Shafie Mammal, Sabah Banking Trade Union president Margaret Chin, and representatives from Jaringan Pekerja Kontrak Kerajaan (JPKK) among others.
Formed in 2017, Gabungan Marhaen is a coalition of grassroots communities, community and union collectives, like-minded NGOs, leaders of grassroots communities and activists.
The coalition aims to incorporate and strengthen all marhaen (marginalised) communities into work plans and activities.
Its members include the Government Contract Workers Network (JPKK), the Farm Worker Support Committee (JSML), the Urban Settlers and Housing Coalition (GPBP), the Low-Cost Flat Committee, the Farmers Coalition, Orang Asli/Asal communities, the Environmental Coalition and informal sectors workers, among others.
Himpunan Marhaen is taking place from Oct 12 to 17 in the form of online gatherings, with changing thematic issues every day of the week.
Those interested in attending this assembly of forums can sign up here.
Originally on MalaysiaKini.com