KUALA LUMPUR – Advocating for fair wages, this year’s May Day rally saw some 1,500 participants demand a hike in the minimum wage to RM2,000, among others.
Echoing the theme “Gaji Untuk Hidup” (Wages for Living), the rally in the city here today underscored the plight of millions grappling with incomes below subsistence levels.
The push for a minimum wage raise from RM1,500 to RM2,000 seeks to empower workers amidst food shortages and global turmoil.
Among the rally organisers, Parti Sosialis Malaysia chairman Dr. Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj orchestrated the gathering to serve as a platform for marginalised groups to voice grievances and demand equitable wealth distribution.
The B40 demographic, spanning workers, traders, students, and the jobless, bears the brunt of soaring living expenses, he said.
He added that the labour force in the nation is not receiving its fair share.
“That’s why we are gathered here – to provide a platform for all the sectors to come here, voice their problems, and ask for a better distribution of wealth,” he told a press conference at Dataran Merdeka.
“The farmers, breeders, paddy traders, gig workers, and the Orang Asli all feel that this country is rich because of their efforts; they sweat, they work tirelessly, and they have contributed to the country, but what they get out of all their hard work is very little,” he said.
He noted Malaysia’s prosperity, citing a 24-fold increase in gross domestic product over the past five decades, even when accounting for inflation. Yet, despite this economic growth, workers have only experienced marginal wage hikes.
Expressing hope for government responsiveness, he urged for meaningful dialogue and assistance to address the grievances voiced by various groups, advocating for just compensation for their contributions to the nation.
The May Day rally, held in Kuala Lumpur, commenced from Menara Maybank on Jalan Tun Perak and culminated at Dataran Merdeka, covering approximately 1km.
Among the participants were prominent civil rights and political organisations, including Suara Rakyat Malaysia, the Muda party, and the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a salary increase of more than 13%, starting on December 1 this year.
He said that the revision to the Public Service Remuneration System would be the best yet, as history shows that the highest previous increase stood at 13%.
This increase, he said, would cost the government approximately RM10 billion.
He also added that the civil servant’s overall income, consisting of the minimum wage salary and fixed allowances, must exceed RM2,000 per month, starting this year.
Currently, he said, the minimum overall income of civil servants stands at RM1,765.
Anwar also urged private sector organisations to follow the government’s lead in increasing civil servant salaries.
Anwar said these companies have doubled their profits due to the productivity and sacrifice of their employees.
“And how can they achieve these profits? Through their employees’ productivity.
“Despite the announcement today focusing on the civil servant salary increase, I want to warn the private sector to take note. I’m giving them time (for them to consider revising their wage policy for their workers).
“The private sector companies have been generating substantial profits. There’s no harm in rewarding their employees with bonuses as a token of appreciation for their hard work,” he said. – May 1, 2024