மூலம் :- மலேசிய நண்பன்
KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — The Najib administration dithered today when confronted with accusations that its proposed wage council was a futile exercise with Human Resources Minister Datuk S. Subramaniam admitting that the government would still have the final say in setting a minimum wage rate.
However, the minister also gave his assurance that the ministry would give fair consideration to the council’s recommendations before implementing any minimum wage policy.
“We will take the views of the council … give it great importance. That is why we appoint the council and that is why we want them to deliberate,” he told reporters when approached in Parliament.
Earlier, however, Subramaniam had admitted that the final decision on any minimum wage policy would still lie in the hands of the Cabinet.
“The government makes the decision. This is practised in most parts of the world … when there is a tripartite consultation, based on this consultation, the government decides,” he said.
He was asked to comment on complaints from DAP MP Charles Santiago who told a press conference in Parliament that the National Wages Consultation Council (NWCC) Bill tabled yesterday was a waste of time.
The Klang MP had said the bill, which does not expressly state a minimum wage rate, made the ministry all-powerful as it was allowed to determine whether to accept or reject the council’s recommendations.
He also pointed out that the ministry was already empowered to put in place a wage floor and as such, the NWCC would only be “redundant and a waste of public funds while introducing another bureaucratic layer in wage determination.”
Subramaniam acknowledged that the bill does not contain the minimum wage rate but added, “no act would state the amount anywhere in the world.”
“But we (ministry) do not decide (the rate). They (NWCC) make the decision and it goes to Cabinet. If Cabinet does not agree, it refers it back to the council.
“There are some countries where the government decides on its own. In our case, there is a tripartite consultation and then the government decides and we will definitely give value to the tripartite consultation,” he said.
Despite widespread concerns raised by numerous employers, Putrajaya went ahead and tabled the highly-anticipated NWCC bill in Parliament yesterday, paving the way for the implementation of a minimum wage policy in the country.
According to the bill, the NWCC’s role will be to advise the government on all matters related to minimum wages, including its development at the international level as well as recommendations to the government on minimum wage rates and coverage according to sectors, types of employment and regional areas, among others.
It will comprise a chairman, a deputy, a secretary, at least five members drawn from public officers, at least five employee representatives, five employer representatives and another five others who have yet to be named — all of whom will be appointed by the minister. Subramaniam explained today that the five “others” will include independent and qualified experts like economists and academicians.
Upon receiving NWCC’s recommendations, the government can choose to agree with the council or direct it to review them within a stipulated period.