Source :- Free Malaysia Today

Kay Wee Tan | June 13, 2011

The minimum wage bill was introduced more than a year ago but Parliament continues delaying debating the bill.

KUALA LUMPUR: The minimum wage bill which was scheduled to be discusssed in Parliament did not happen again.

Earlier, Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam had said the bill will be tabled today but again it was a no-show.

Klang MP Charles Satiago said, “The minimum wage bill has been proposed for almost one year. But the government continues delaying debate on the bill. And this is worrying.”

The government fiexed the poverty line at RM720 but 34% of Malaysian workers are earning less than RM700.
Workers whose income is below the poverty line will be facing difficulties due to inflation and the increase in the prices of essential goods.

“Besides the workers, the rising numbers of single mothers too will be affected and they will soon be living in poverty.” said Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS) president Irene Xavier.

Former president of Malaysia Trades Union Congress Syed Shahir Syed  Mohamud said that the number of urban people living below the poverty line is also increasing.

”There is no point in being proud about our economy and GDP while citizens are living below the  poverty line.”