The Malaysian Trades Union Congress MTUC) has put up few proposals for the people for the government’s consideration in the 2016 Budget, including giving RM300 in Cost of Living Allowance (Cola) to private sector workers.

Its deputy secretary-general, A Balasubramaniam, said this was necessary for private sector workers facing the hardship of rising prices of goods and services.

“A Cola should be implemented in the private sector, as practised in the civil service.

“The federal government has been paying Cola to civil servants for several years, (as such) why can't the private sector follow suit?,” he asked when speaking to Bernama over what MTUC’s wishlist was for the upcoming 2016 Budget to be tabled in Parliament on Friday.

Balasubramaniam insisted that the government raise the minimum wage to at least RM1,200 for both peninsula Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which was implemented on April 1 this year had impacted the income of low-income earners.

The minimum wage policy in Malaysia was launched on Jan 1, 2013 where the minimum wage for peninsular Malaysia was set at RM900 per month, whereas in Sabah and Sarawak, RM800.

Balasubramaniam said MTUC demanded an immediate review of the minimum wage rates, as a review of the minimum wage order should be carried out at least once every two years.

“Clearly, the cost of living has escalated since the last Minimum Wage Order in 2012 was made, and this should have reasonably led to increases in the Minimum Wage rates.”

On the recent increase in toll rates, Balasubramaniam said the government should reconsider its decision in increasing the toll rates which saw 12 major highway concessionaires in the Klang Valley announcing an increase in toll rates, ranging from between 10 sen and RM6, beginning last Thursday (Oct 15).

- Bernama