MINIMUM WAGE BILL TO BE TABLED IN SENATE TUESDAY

KOTA KINABALU (Sabah, Malaysia), July 11 (Bernama) -- The National Wage Consultation Council Bill, which has been approved by the Lower House of Parliament, will be tabled in the Senate Tuesday, Deputy Human Resources Minister Senator Maznah Mazlan said.

The bill, which is aimed at coordinating and setting a minimum wage
structure for private sector workers, would be tabled by Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam.

"The act, if approved by the Malaysian King, will become a law which will enable the government to appoint the National Wage Consultation Council whose role is to give input and advise to the government on the matter.

"The council comprises workers' representatives, professionals and
individuals who are experts on the issue," she told reporters after the launch of the National Level Occupational Safety and Health Week 2011, here Monday.

The event was launched by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Yee Moh Chai,
representing Chief Minister Musa Aman.

Maznah said the government would take into account the council's
recommendations before deciding on a minimum wage structure.

She expressed confidence that the minimum wage could be announced at the end of this year.

To a question whether the minimum wage policy would be implemented in Sabah and Sarawak which had their own labour laws, Maznah said she hoped both states would adopt it.

Maznah said the council would take into consideration the interests of private sector workers in Sabah and Sarawak in making their recommendations to the government.
-- BERNAMA