MELAKA: The Labour Peninsular Malaysia Department has discovered that some of the 35 security companies inspected nationwide have yet to comply with the Minimum Wage Order of RM1,700, which took effect on February 1.
Director-General Kamal Pardi stated that employers can be fined under the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 (Act 732) for non-compliance.
Kamal noted that the Labour Peninsular Malaysia Department, under the Human Resources Ministry, had received numerous complaints from employees of security companies indicating they were still being paid the previous basic minimum wage of RM1,500 per month.
"That is why we conducted a nationwide simultaneous operation today to inspect 35 security companies, and we found that some are still paying the old minimum wage rate of RM1,500 a month or RM2,000 including overtime.
"I hope these companies will promptly comply with the Minimum Wage Order of RM1,700 and settle the wage arrears starting with the March and April salaries," he said.
Kamal made the statement to reporters after leading the Labour Peninsular Malaysia Department Minimum Wage Operation in Ayer Keroh on Tuesday (April 22).
Further commenting, Kamal said that between last year and March this year, Labour Peninsular Malaysia Department had opened 456 investigation papers against companies for various offences under the Employment Act 1955, the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Employee Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446), and the Minimum Wage Order under the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011.
"We have also issued around 700 fines and compounds to employers amounting to more than RM2 million.
"So, instead of paying fines, employers would be better off paying their workers the minimum wage and complying with the law," he said, adding that the ministry places great importance on workers' welfare as it is a right enshrined in law.
