Reality bites: Private sector employees believe that current salary hikes cannot keep up with the rising cost of living. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Private sector employees are frustrated that the quantum of salary increment has failed to keep pace with the rising cost of living.
IT sales representative Ahmad Khidir Abdul Rahid Ritho, 30, who is spending about 30% of his income on food, said meal prices have risen significantly.
“A plate of rice with similar dishes that used to cost RM6 about five years ago now costs RM9, which is disproportionate to salary hikes,” he said.
“I hope my daily expenses can decrease,” he said yesterday.
Store administrator R. Tarrchini, 25, hopes food prices will come down, starting with the ingredients.
“These days, not much can be purchased from grocery shops with RM50.
“Raw ingredients are expensive, forcing eateries to pass on this cost by charging more for the food they serve.
“Even a salary increase wouldn’t be enough to keep up with the rate at which food prices have risen due to labour-intensive processes.
“If the government can implement new policies to reduce production cost, a drop in food prices will benefit everyone without requiring additional salary increases,” she said.
Ehailing driver Yuhisham Yusoff, 47, is earning less than RM1,000 a month in net income, largely due to the vehicle maintenance cost.
“I drive about 5,000km each month, and it has taken a heavy toll on my car,” he said.
“I have to spend money on oil changes and frequent replacements of spare parts each month.
“Some spare parts have doubled in price in recent years, yet our commissions from ehailing companies are not increasing.”
Salesman Lim Chee Hou, 34, spends between RM1,500 and RM2,000 on food for the family.
“I just hope the amount of my salary increase will match the rising cost of living,” said Lim, who is married with a three-year-old son.
It was previously reported that the private sector had been encouraged to follow the government’s lead in raising wages.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said it would serve as a means to appreciate their productivity and contributions to the company.
He also echoed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call for the private sector, especially companies with high profits, to review their salary schemes to provide their employees with more reasonable remuneration.
Anwar had also praised Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s move to set a minimum wage of RM3,000 per month for its employees and expressed hope that private companies will follow suit.
