KLANG: The Association of Malaysian Hauliers (AMH) is aiming for truck drivers to earn a take-home pay of at least RM3,000 without working unreasonably long hours.

AMH, whose members control 80% of the hauliage industry, wants to take the government's minimum wage policy of RM900 one step further by giving their employees a higher income, while providing them work-life balance as well.

AMH president Datuk Che Azizuddin Che Ismail said that to accomplish this, transportation companies needed to increase productivity and revenue by becoming more efficient.

"But we cannot do this on our own. Maybe we can improve by 40%, but the remaining 60% depends on the other stakeholders, such as the depot, shipping lines, port authority, customs and other players," he said.

He said everyone else must improve efficiency to cut down on time wastage.

"The drivers can be stuck at the depot for hours, which limits the number of trips they can make a day. And that means they earn less, because they get a commission per trip.

"A lot of time is wasted due to traffic congestion too. That is why the roads to Westport and Northport (in Port Klang), Pasir Gudang Port and Penang Port must be widened to a six-lane carriageway," he told reporters Wednesday after attending a briefing by the Human Resource Ministry on minimum wage.

The minimum wage policy of RM900 a month will come into effect on Jan 1 next year, and Che Azizuddin gave an assurance that AMH members would comply with the ruling.

Che Azizuddin said many truck drivers already enjoyed a take-home pay of at least RM3,000, but they had to work long hours to earn that amount.

"We fully support the government's initiative to enforce minimum wage. With their basic pay at RM900, plus other benefits, they can earn more than RM3,000 per month.

"But they have to work long hours. If waiting time is reduced, they can make three trips in eight hours instead of just two," he said.

He said time wasted affected the companies productivity and increases their cost, which would be either absorbed by the companies or passed down to consumers.

"The key is efficiency. If everyone plays their part, we can ensure that we have enough revenue, after factoring in operational costs and minimum wage, to let the drivers take home RM3,000 or more," he said.

• Affin Q1 earnings decline on lower share from associate
• Tenaga unit issues RM1.62b Sukuk for Penang power plant
• Fajar Baru posts RM1.5m net profit, optimistic on growth
• Malaysia's KLCI closes nearly 8pt up, IOI Corp, CIMB advance
• Little sign Abe can shake up Japan's inbound FDI
• Ideal Jacobs steps up expansion in China
• TH Plantations to complete Kalimantan land purchase by June
• Time dotCom in search of more acquisitions
• Battersea Power Station's Phase 1 records RM3.12b sales
• Maybank considering internal, external candidates for CEO
• Instacom bags RM205m telco job in Sarawak
• BToto hopes to list business trust in Singapore end-August
• KLCI up nearly 8pt midday, banks, O&G lead gainers (Update)
• Despite curbs, China's vast hot money triangle flourishes
• RHB Research maintains Neutral on auto sector

• USGS: Magnitude 6.8 earthquake strikes off Chile
• Yahoo! looks to Tumblr as elixir for revival
• Burial place of Argentina's Videla a mystery
• Britain's Cameron makes personal plea to tax havens
• Beatles guitar auctioned for $408,000 in US

• Golf: Johnson triumphs by one stroke at Mobile Bay LPGA
• Chong Wei urges team-mates to bounce back from shock defeat to Taiwan
• Kien Keat-Boon Heong may not play in Group C tie against Germany
• Koo-Tan’s stunning loss rocks Malaysian camp
• Kjaersfeldt ready to continue strong Danish tradition
• Sindhu shines for India after spectacular performance
• Danial shatters 100m mark as four records fall on opening day
• Pavithraa in sizzling form despite the heat
• Wee Wern relishes playing at unique venue ... a football stadium
• Coach Irving has no doubts Nicol will peak at the right time
• ‘Comeback king’ Timothy lands his second title
• KLHC to the fore again
• New Cheras velodrome may steal limelight from RM80mil Labu project
• Azlan and Zamri do Malaysia proud in ARRC race at Sentul
• Broken clutch lever costs Hafizh dearly in Le Mans

• Please wait.

• MPs can earn up to RM10,000 per month
• Ten important items for you to prepare for the inevitable
• Abdul Wahid and Paul Low taking huge pay cuts
• Professionals warn there is too much of office space in the Klang Valley
• Should Sime Darby also demerge; big values can be created by spinning off companies
• Battersea Power Station's Phase 1 records RM3.12b sales
• Take action against Kian Ming, voter told
• Analysis - Little sign Abe can shake up Japan's inbound FDI
• BToto hopes to list business trust in Singapore end-August
• Despite curbs, China's vast hot money triangle flourishes