Malaysia to kick off ITUC's minimum wage in Asia campaign

According to The Malay Mail Online, Malaysia will be the launchpad for a campaign pushed by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and various trade unions to implement minimum living wage in Asian countries.

Speaking at a press conference recently, ITUC secretary-general Sharan Burrow said that the campaign is using the Malaysian Wage Floor Forum as the platform. The forum is organised by the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC).

She commented: “The global workforce is in trouble. Workers' wages have stagnated, and inequality is rising. Workers in the world are saying that they need a pay rise in every country in the world.”

She also said that Asia was chosen as the campaign target because it is a “predominant” market and the campaign “needs to be built from Asia”.

“We have to end the corporate greed,” she remarked.

Meanwhile,  MTUC secretary-general J. Solomon said that the congress is hoping to push for a RM1,500 minimum wage in Malaysia ahead of a minimum wage review that is due to happen beginning June.

“The third review will begin in June and to be implemented next year. So we are hoping to push for RM1,500 minimum wage by then,” he said.

The minimum wage is currently RM1,000 in peninsular Malaysia, and RM920 for Sabah and Sarawak, effective last July.

Photo / 123RF