A little extra goes a long way

PETALING JAYA: Having a little bit extra at the end of the month can go a long way for many employees earning the minimum wage.

The Star spoke to several people about their anticipation come May 1, when the RM1,500 minimum wage will be implemented nationwide.

Siti Rohani Ahmad, 39, from Sentul said she was always torn between fulfilling her needs and necessities with the current salary.

“Having a little bit more is always welcome because right now, I spend my salary on only what is necessary. My wants are kept aside but having a bit more gives me hope to spend something on myself.

“We have been waiting for this, so it does feel nice to have something good coming our way,” she said when contacted.

Hezreen Aiman Kamsul, 25, from Gombak said many don’t understand how the current wage earners always run short of money at the end of the month.

As such, the extra money will provide a great sense of relief, she said.

“My salary covers the basics and if I need more, I usually sell other things on the side to cope with the expenses.

“The extra increment will make a difference for many people,” she said.

Meanwhile Nurul Aisha Miswari, 26, from Wira Damai said when the minimum wage was RM900, it was enough for a single person living with their family.

However, life takes a drastic change when one is married with commitments, she added.

“All your salary even before you get it already is gone for all your monthly commitments. There is no extra for anything else.

“So of course, we are waiting for the new wage because the cost of living is hard for most people,”she said.

A former salesgirl who wishes to be known as Scha, 20, from Kuala Lumpur was given the boot by her employer on March 23 citing the implementation of the RM1,500 minimum wage. She was initially promised RM1,200 salary, which is the current wage but was only given RM900.

“I was shocked when I was told to leave the company because they cannot pay me the new minimum wage. No notice was issued to me and the government has not even implemented the new wage.

“My track record was good as I worked diligently but this surely did not make any sense to me. On top of that, my mother had to intervene for them to pay me RM900,”she said.

Currently, Scha is not planning to join the workforce after her bad experience and has instead opted to work for herself.

On March 19, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the national minimum wage will be revised to RM1,500 per month from May 1.

However, Human Resources Minister clarified on April 13, there are a few industries that are exempted including farmers, hotels and tourism industry players, as well as companies with fewer than five employees.