PETALING JAYA: Contract workers including cleaners and security guards at government buildings should be paid the RM1,500 minimum wage, says the Government Contract Workers Alliance (JPKK).

       At a virtual press conference yesterday, its national coordinator Danial Hakeem Azman said many contract workers complained their employers were still paying them only RM1,200.

       These companies claimed their agreement with the government was based on the previous minimum wage, he said.

       “The workers say these companies will only pay them the new minimum wage once the company’s contract with the government ends.

       “During the previous increment of the minimum wage from RM1,100 to RM1,200, the backdated amounts were also not paid,” he said.

       He noted that earlier this year, a security association also sent a letter to the Human Resources Ministry stating they could only pay the new RM1,500 minimum wage next year.

       “The company said they were unable to bear the additional costs at such short notice while also stating that security guards were not professional workers,” he said.

       He added that cleaning companies also gave the same excuse.

       “Surveys by the press also showed there were many school cleaners who stopped work and sought opportunities at other companies due to this,” he said.

       Danial said it was the government’s role to set a good example to the private sector in terms of ensuring workers’ welfare.

       “Companies with unstable financial situations must not be continuously offered tenders. The implementation of the new minimum wage which started on May 1 must be paid immediately and not only when a company’s contract with the government ends,” he said.