5 years after the last minimum wage was set, the labours are criticizing and objecting the raise of only 1,000 MMK as a subsidy.
Last day, the National Committee for Setting the Minimum Wage announced that in addition to the minimum wage of 4,800 MMK for the 8-hour daily wage set in 2018, an additional subsidy of 1,000 MMK will be provided. According to the announcement, labours will receive a new minimum wage of 5,800 MMK per day.
However, some factory labours said that since the basic salary was not raised but it was increased as a support fee, and the overtime pay would be continued to calculate at the current minimum wage of 4,800 MMK, so there was no significant change.
"In 2018, a bunch of sweet potato leaves were 100 MMK which is now 300 MMK. The raise of the minimum wages price of 4,800 MMK set in 2018 has to 5,800 MMK is quite low. It should be doubled, if not tripled. It's sad for the workers. It only raises the minimum wages to 5,800 MMK. There is no change in overtime pay, so there is nothing special. Only a title,” said a factory labour.
In addition, there are also criticisms on in the announcement that the subsidy was raised by 1,000 MMK because only CMP factory and workshops are mentioned and it is not clearly described in the statement that whether labours from other business sectors can enjoy it or not.
“I know neither how the factories that pay 5,600 MMK would raise nor overtime payment would. The statement is not clearly issued. And where is the Employer, Employe and Government tripartite dialogue. Would it be in accordance with the law without this tripartite dialogue. Or is it a demonstration of power because of the couped era,” said a labour union member.
When the minimum wage was published in 2018, it was set to be 4,800 MMK per day and It was published without distinguishing the type of work and the region.
Since around that year, the labours asked for a minimum wage of 5,600 MMK. When they asked for a daily wage of 10,000 MMK after 5 years later, it was only increased by 1,000 MMK.
