Discuss Cola proposal with MEF, MTUC urged

MTUC should have discussions directly with the Malaysian Emp­loyers Federation (MEF) regarding its proposal for a cost-of-living (Cola) allowance for private sector employees, the House was told.

Deputy Human Resource Minister Datuk Ismail Abdul Muttalib said the Government was prepared to act as the intermediary if they could not come to an agreement on the matter.

He was replying to a question raised by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) on whether the Government would have discussions with MEF to get it to accept MTUC’s proposal for a RM300 Cola for private sector employees.

Azalina had also asked about the measures that the Government would take to enable private sector employees to cope with the rising cost of living should the Cola proposal be shot down.

Ismail said the Government had decided to do a biennial review of the minimum wage and provided various forms of cash and non-cash aid.

“For example, the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) and 1Malaysia People’s Shop (KR1M) are some forms of aid for people in the medium-and-low-income group,” he added. — Bernama