Thursday 28 Mar 2024
By
main news image

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 20): Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SD Plantation) is streamlining the minimum wage for its plantation workers in Sabah and Sarawak to that of those in Peninsular Malaysia, in anticipation of the new national rate that will come into effect in January 2019.

In a statement today, SD Plantation said the decision will raise the current minimum wage for plantation workers in the two states to RM1,000 per month, effective immediately, matching the minimum wage currently enjoyed by workers in the peninsula as stipulated under the law.

Under the Minimum Wages Order 2016 made pursuant to the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011, the minimum wage rate for Sabah and Sarawak is currently set at RM920 per month.

SD Plantation executive deputy chairman and managing director Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh said the group supports the government's move to implement the new standardised minimum wage rate for both peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak, which was set at RM1,050.

"In the meantime, and in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration, we have decided to standardise the current minimum wage of RM1,000 across all our operations in Malaysia. Being in a labour-intensive palm oil industry, SD Plantation is cognisant that employees are our greatest asset. By standardising wages throughout our operations, we hope the equitable income opportunity will help to attract more workers to join our Sabah and Sarawak operations," he said.

Besides the current minimum wage, SD Plantation said its workers also receive productivity-based income incentives, on top of many other free and subsidised benefits provided by the company. These include free accommodation, potable water, supply of rice, subsidised electricity, free medical treatment for employees and their immediate dependants, and various amenities such as school bus transport for employees' children, and recreational facilities.

      Print
      Text Size
      Share