Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 38, Number 13. 12th June 1975
26-5-75 — 15 Cents Annual Increment For Workers In Port Kelang
26-5-75
15 Cents Annual Increment For Workers In Port Kelang
The Deputy Minister of Labour and Manpower disclosed the exploitation practised by certain firms by paying extremely low wages and making high profits. The Deputy Minister, Haji Hassan Adli, cited as an example an industrial company in Trengganu which pays its workers an average of $26 monthly.
He also revealed that a large firm in Port Kelang gives an annual increment of 15 cents to all its workers.
These firms have made excuses to the effect that it is not their aim to obtain profits but that they are there for the purpose of supplying jobs to the people, Haji Hassan explained. He was addressing a meeting sponsored by the Keland branch of Pas.
Haji Hassan stressed that this attitude will not contribute to the social and economic stability of the country ...
He urged that trade unions exercise diplomacy in persuading employers to come to the negotiating table. He said that hasty action would worsen the situation. In the meeting, a woman worker claimed that she only received $70 a month from her factory after working for 5 years, as well as paying for her own uniform and medical expenses.
The case of Port Keland Authority neglecting the lot of temporary workers was also raised.
( Fuemsso News Service)