PUTRAJAYA: The government will review the minimum wage implementation mechanism for the private sector to minimise the dependence on foreign workers, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S Subramaniam said.The move was in line with the government’s objective to achieve a high-income economic model which would enable workers to earn a reasonable amount of salary and help them overcome poverty.
“The salary in a lot of sectors, including the manufacturing sector, is still very low. We don’t know whether this is driving the locals away from these sectors,” he told reporters after delivering his New Year 2010 message to the ministry’s staff here.
Subra-maniam said the study on the salary scheme for hotel workers and security guards had been completed.
A study had also been carried out on the salary scheme in the electronics and textile sectors and a decision could be made in six to eight months.
Meanwhile, asked on the nearly 40,000 Indian citizens who went “missing” in Malaysia after their tourist visas expired, Subramaniam said stern action should be taken against those who employed them.
“If we do this, and show them that the government is serious about this, then the message might reach them and people will feel more apprehensive about hiring illegal immigrants. — Bernama