Fong: Let unions call the shots

Fong: Let unions call the shots
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/3/nation/18194753&sec=nation

KUALA LUMPUR: Companies with strong union representation should be allowed to negotiate their salaries instead of having a government-set minimum wage of RM900, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said.

“If union representation is strong, let it be,” he told reporters after launching the National Human Re-sources Summit 2007 at a hotel here yesterday.

“They can get more than RM900, so why should we determine there should be that level?”

Dr Fong, who said the companies included those in the plantation and manufacturing sectors, cited Matsu-shita as an example of a firm with strong union representation where workers were in a good position to articulate their needs.

What about those companies who do not have strong union representation, or no unions at all?

He said a minimum wage would have an impact on companies such as fast food giants KFC Holdings Bhd and A&W, which employed school leavers.

“Any wage adjustment would affect the whole sector,” he added.

I'm sure that there can be some sub-clauses in the minimum wage legislation to cater for the school leavers temping at fast food chains.

Dr Fong reiterated that the ministry would continue to “engage” the MTUC on minimum wage, adding it was much more flexible to have a wage council in every sector.

“We are in the process of engaging with the MTUC.

“If they feel there is any particular industry where workers are not paid in accordance to their contribution, we are ready to move in to form these councils,” he added.

Dr Fong said seven such councils had been formed in the past two years, including for security guards and clinic assistants.

Ya, pass the buck back to MTUC to form these "wage councils". It delays minimum wage implementation and increases bureaucracy and therefore the perception is that the government is doing something useful.

When asked if maids should be included in minimum wage discussions, he said the sector should not be “tied together” with other categories because it would be unfair to the large number of households who needed the services of the maids.

Suddenly it's not fair to the households but entirely fair to the underpaid maids?

BLA BLA BLA!