Malaysian Trades Union
Congress (MTUC) referring to a media report quoted by the Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan recommended
that the government encourages those in the low-income group to work two jobs,
as it is one way to cope with the rising cost of living. Datuk Ahmad Maslan
also said that holding down two jobs was not uncommon as it was done by many
around the world.
MTUC strongly of the
view that such recommendation is not a constructive idea to bring up. Instead
MTUC wants the government to rethink approaches and formulate effective
strategies to ensure that every worker regardless of private or public sector, have
sufficient income to support themselves and their families.
Notwithstanding the
reasons given by Datuk Ahmad Maslan, MTUC view that research shows having two
jobs will lead to negative impact in terms of health and productivity of the
workers. They won't have quality time with their family, and if this happen, we
worry that more social problem will be occurred in a long-run. If the
government continues to promote the two jobs scheme, it will affect the overall
productivity of the organization they working for, and the nation at large.
Similar idea was
brought few years ago. Thus, the MTUC urged government to withdraw such
recommendation and should discourage citizens of this country from holding down
two jobs. We hope that the employers’ organization will also say no to this
kind of recommendation.
MTUC would bring this
matter to the attention of the Ministry of Human Resources and the Prime
Minister in the near future to find ways to increase wages of workers in this
country.
Regards,
N. Gopal Krishnam
Secretary General
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