KOTA KINABALU: Employees in Sabah want to know when they can enjoy an increase in salary as well now that the state Cabinet and assemblymen have their pay rise.
Malaysian Trades Union Congress secretary for Sabah division, Catherine Jikunan said ministers and assemblymen will now enjoy a 40% salary hike after the state assembly passed a Bill to increase their salaries on July 19.
"So when is our turn?" she asked.
She said with the increasing cost of living, salaries remained static for some while many suffered income losses due to pay and allowance cuts.
Jikunan said this included employees of many government-linked companies or state owned establishments such as the Yayasan Sabah College of Technology (YSCT), University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) and the Sabah Forest Industry (SFI).
"As employees in Sabah, we too contribute to the development and economy of the state. Like ministers, we too have to fork out more to feed ourselves and our families, pay bills and what not.
"What is the state government planning to do to help address these issues?" she asked.
Jikunan said it was also disappointing that the government had not addressed the inconsistency in the Sabah Labour Ordinance compared to the Federal labour laws, which saw Sabah workers earning less than what they deserve.
She said at the rate things were going and the situation people were in, the rich would only continue to stay rich while the poor become poorer.
"The MTUC has sent many letters to the state government through the Chief Minister’s office and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry calling for a meeting to discuss this matter but no response has been given so far," she said.
Jikunan added that she hoped that the state government would come forward and assist workers, especially those from the B40 or low income earners to deal with problems following the increasing cost of living in Sabah.
