Govt urged to blacklist contractor companies that fail to pay minimum wage

PETALING JAYA - The government has been urged to blacklist contractor companies that fail to comply with employment laws in providing minimum wages to contract workers.

Government Contract Workers’ Network (JPKK) activist Christine Gabriel said this is necessary because many contractor companies are in breach of the Minimum Wage Order (GPM) 2022, which stipulates a minimum wage of RM1,500.

“Many complaints have been received from contract workers regarding the companies’ failure to provide the minimum wage.

"The companies’ reason for not paying the amount is that the government is said to have not adjusted the tender to raise wages,” she said at the Youth Voice Convention on Saturday.

Christine added that an employee fired for simply demanding their rights as an employee is a case of oppression.

She said that the government needs to establish a serious punishment system, such as blacklisting contractor companies that do not comply with the law in Malaysia.

At the same time, she also urged the government to abolish the contract system in order to save on government expenditure.

Christine revealed that most workers, such as janitors and hospital security guards, are offered short-term contracts.

“Usually, the contractor company will change every two or three years, so the employees will be new employees who cannot enjoy benefits such as annual leave, sick leave, and so on.

“This contract system indirectly causes workers not to dare to voice their rights,” she said.