KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — Barisan Nasional (BN) would further raise the minimum wage and require automatic paternity leave for the private sector if it is returned to power, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.
The BN chairman and caretaker prime minister announced a special grant of RM3 million for private sector workers.
“To appreciate the loyalty of workers across the country towards the government all this time, a special grant of RM3 million will go to the MTUC,” he said in his speech to more than 5,000 people who attended the Workers' Day celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre here.
The funds will be pumped into the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC), which will channel it for disbursement through the various workers unions.
Najib also announced that his government would raise the minimum wage to RM1,500 within the next five years if they won on May 9.
“To make things better, if BN wins in the upcoming general election, I will make an announcement to raise the minimum wage of RM1,000 and RM920, to a new rate this year.” he said.
He also announced that his administration will introduce a three-day compulsory paternity leave for fathers if BN won.
“This will be tabled in Parliament no later than early 2019,” Najib said.
Additionally, he announced that a BN administration would inject an additional RM60 million into the Social Security Organisation to allow it to increase interim aid payments to members.
“With this addition, interim aid rates will be increased to RM1,000 for the first month then RM800 and RM600 respectively for the next two months, as well as assist recipients improve their workability through training programmes,” he said.
A total of RM210 million will also be channeled to the Human Resources Development Fund Sdn Bhd to executive the Human Capital Strategic Initiatives plan.
