SEMENYIH: Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran should start siding with workers instead of speaking on behalf of employers, says Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).

Kulasegaran's recent remarks that some employers found the national minimum wage “too high” were disappointing, said PSM central committee member S. Arutchelvan.

“He should change his job title from Minister of Human Resources to minister for employers.

“He continues to be a spokesman for employers and ignores the interests of employees.

“His recent statement that the RM1,100 minimum wage is too high is a stupid thing to say because the amount is already very low, with a majority of workers having difficulty surviving on it,” he said at a press conference at the party's operations centre here Thursday (Feb 28).

Arutchelvan said numerous studies, including a Bank Negara analysis, have shown that an adult individual living in Kuala Lumpur should earn at least RM2,700 a month.

Recently, following a meeting with the Malaysian Employers Federation in Sabah, Kulasegaran told reporters that employers found the increase in wages due to the minimum wage adjustment a “steep jump” that had caused a hike in operating costs.

Meanwhile, PSM has set up a dedicated hotline for workers in Semenyih who have queries and complaints regarding the minimum wage.

“Other political parties come to Semenyih with goodies for voters. We are unable to promise the sun and the moon, but we can pledge to help workers in Semenyih fight for their rights,” said Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul, PSM's candidate for the Semenyih by-election.

PSM's workers bureau chief M. Sivaranjani said since the national minimum wage of RM1,100 came into effect in January, PSM had received 35 complaints via its hotline.

“Some workers complain that their employers told them they could not increase their wages to RM1,100 but promised to do it later.

“Others complain that they have lost their jobs or had their job scopes changed,” said Sivaranjani.

She said that people should not be afraid to lodge a complaint against their employer because workers had rights.

She added that PSM would help protect the anonymity of those who complained on their hotline.

The PSM workers bureau hotline is 010-240 2159, while the Semenyih hotline is 011-3681 8583 / 011-3170 0802.