HARD WORK: Rita is doing a job usually done by male grass cutters.
MIRI: A bustling city like Miri is a place of opportunities for many migrants from various parts of Sarawak to make a good living because businesses are booming stimulated mainly by the oil and gas industry over the years.
Nevertheless, there are those who, despite being gainfully employed and holding down a job, are trying to live within their means even though they are very happy with their wages.
The Borneo Post Adventure Team (BAT) met up with a few jovial female contract grass cutters, who were enjoying a mid-day break with home cooked meal under a tree.
One of them was 50-year-old Rita (not her real name) who told BAT she has worked the longest for her employer, for almost 21 years as a daily paid labourer.
Rita said she was not too worried about her future but it would be better if her employer provides her with Socso coverage and EPF contributions.
“Of course we are worried about occupational hazards, even though the cutter blades are now replaced with strong plastic strings that work as good as a metal blades,” she said.
“To make sure that we are safe under the scourging sun we wear long sleeved jacket, cover hour head with a piece of cloth and protect our eyes with sunglasses, she added.
The jovial female labourer, who took the job usually done by men, was not very well educated but she motivated herself and had made herself an expert grass cutter for her employer.
For her expertise she had been paid RM20 daily but recently it was increased to RM30.
“We thank our employer who has increased our daily rate and it has helped to supplement the family’s income to live in the city,” she said.
“Besides cutting grass we also collect rubbish and clean the open drains in the city as required by our job scope, which are scheduled by our employer,” she added.
Rita explained she took the job because most male immigrants who came to Miri were involved in oil and gas exploration.
“The job is not well paid and would not attract the male labourers but women like me will take the job to supplement our family’s income,” she reiterated.
With her household monthly income below RM3,000 she applied for BR1M, but her three applications were all rejected.
“I don’t really know what happened to my applications but as long as I can still work I am happy and I am optimistic that I will improve slowly everyday to have a better life.”
Rita has made Miri her home for many years since she migrated from a village in Katibas, Song.