Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat addressing attendees at the Workers’ Day gathering in Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam, yesterday.
SHAH ALAM: The five Pakatan Rakyat state governments want to add to the number of days of maternity leave, which is now 60.
While Selangor and Kedah are seeking another 30 days, Penang is opting for 15 days.
But all five state governments agreed to meet to discuss how best to implement a standard maternity as well as paternity leave.
Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said at a Worker s’ Day gathering yesterday that the five state governments would negotiate with employers to increase the number of days for maternity leave.
Present at the function, organised by the Pas workers and settlers’ bureau, were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaludin and Penang Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.
Kelantan was represented by executive council member Datuk Husam Musa and Kedah by executive council member Phahrolrazi Zawawi.
The state governments also agreed to support calls by unions for a minimum wage.
Khalid said Selangor was seeking a minimum wage of RM1,500 for employees in the state, an amount higher than the RM900 sought by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).
“We feel workers deserve at least RM1,500.
“If employers cannot meet this, then we will look at how long-serving employees can draw better salaries.” He said Selangor considered its workers an asset, adding that higher remuneration would increase productivity.
“A minimum wage is not a reason for a pay rise. Only the deserving and those with added skills and knowledge should get a pay increase.” All the other four representatives echoed his sentiments, with Mohammad Nizar saying that Perakwas also looking in - to the issue.
He said a happy and satisfied workforce would create a healthier investment climate.
“Investors would like to see good relations between workers and employers and we bel i e ve reasonable minimum wages would foster that.” He disagreed that a high minimum wage would lead to higher inflation.
“I do not see a correlation between them. There are many other economic and social factors linked to the problem.” At present, there is a minimum wage for four categories of workers — shop assistants, those in the hotel and service industry, cinema attendants and Penang Port cargo workers.
Later in the afternoon, MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said union leaders would be handing over a memorandum on various issues concerning workers’ rights to the government at Parliament on Wednesday.
Workers at the “gather ing” would carry placards to highlight workers’ issues and the memorandum would be handed over to Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who arrived in the afternoon, told the gathering that the best way to resolveworkers’ issues was through the Islamic way.
He said the Quran stated it was noble towork and leaders must help the workers.
Islam also called for the rights of workers to be protected.
While Selangor and Kedah are seeking another 30 days, Penang is opting for 15 days.
But all five state governments agreed to meet to discuss how best to implement a standard maternity as well as paternity leave.
Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said at a Worker s’ Day gathering yesterday that the five state governments would negotiate with employers to increase the number of days for maternity leave.
Present at the function, organised by the Pas workers and settlers’ bureau, were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaludin and Penang Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.
Kelantan was represented by executive council member Datuk Husam Musa and Kedah by executive council member Phahrolrazi Zawawi.
The state governments also agreed to support calls by unions for a minimum wage.
Khalid said Selangor was seeking a minimum wage of RM1,500 for employees in the state, an amount higher than the RM900 sought by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).
“We feel workers deserve at least RM1,500.
“If employers cannot meet this, then we will look at how long-serving employees can draw better salaries.” He said Selangor considered its workers an asset, adding that higher remuneration would increase productivity.
“A minimum wage is not a reason for a pay rise. Only the deserving and those with added skills and knowledge should get a pay increase.” All the other four representatives echoed his sentiments, with Mohammad Nizar saying that Perakwas also looking in - to the issue.
He said a happy and satisfied workforce would create a healthier investment climate.
“Investors would like to see good relations between workers and employers and we bel i e ve reasonable minimum wages would foster that.” He disagreed that a high minimum wage would lead to higher inflation.
“I do not see a correlation between them. There are many other economic and social factors linked to the problem.” At present, there is a minimum wage for four categories of workers — shop assistants, those in the hotel and service industry, cinema attendants and Penang Port cargo workers.
Later in the afternoon, MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said union leaders would be handing over a memorandum on various issues concerning workers’ rights to the government at Parliament on Wednesday.
Workers at the “gather ing” would carry placards to highlight workers’ issues and the memorandum would be handed over to Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who arrived in the afternoon, told the gathering that the best way to resolveworkers’ issues was through the Islamic way.
He said the Quran stated it was noble towork and leaders must help the workers.
Islam also called for the rights of workers to be protected.
