It seems that “Legislate Minimum Wage Now!” is the new “mantra” for MTUC nowadays. Having a public campaign on minimum wage is an honorable attempt. But common, I guess to the culture of civil society in Malaysia, “wage war first and engage later” is the strategy of the day. We forget the fact that just as important as getting the call for minimum wage in Malaysia realized by the State, the process of engaging and consulting grassroots concerned is much more important. There is a reason, so I see, for U.K for example to invest its precious 10 years into public engagement and campaign before producing a solid proposal for minimum wage to the government. If I am the government of the day, I would point a finger at MTUC with a smirk in my face and say “Et tu, MTUC?”
Why the sarcasm? Somebody may ask. It’s simply because for ages, civil society in Malaysia has been fighting for a legitimate space for grassroots to be engaged in State’s decision making process. We demand for the “trickling down” effect so that policy making wouldn’t seemed like an exclusive process that negates the voice of the people. The problem now is this: Since early 2000, when MTUC launched its demand for minimum wage, have any of us, layman heard of any sort of social engagement or consultation with workers themselves about this pressing issue? Apparently not. So, don’t you think “2 x 5 “seemed appropriate to describe this?
We know that MTUC is fighting for minimum wage, but on what basis, what itty gritty facts of life or constructive arguments, that remains to be seen. A quick visit to MTUC’s website revealed a somewhat brief attempt at research on this topic which consists of a comparative study on the different levels of salaries paid to workers based on demographic factor. Would that be good enough a proposal to earn a full attention from the government on how serious MTUC is in lobbying for minimum wage or would that be “real” enough to demonstrate the workers actual plight for better wage in Malaysia.
So I say don’t blame the government if they perceive MTUC’s demand as a political ploy to grab attention. Not that I support the government’s stand either. It’s just that I feel both government and civil society have more often than not, forget that the very essence of the conduct of their action for social justice lies with the voice of the powerless whom they claimed they are representing. The fact that the public was not allowed or not given the opportunity to participate in the process is a major failure itself. Oh sure, we could go out and picket now to fight for the issue. But pickets by the workers would no longer be seen as a weapon which manifest the strength of the workers support, but merely a "media event" if not accompanied by a strong proposal for minimum wage which is constructed from the people's true experience and hopes.
It is common for decision makers or community leaders to think that they know what’s best for the people they are representing. But again, its all are mere perception if what they think they know is the product of their “wise” assumption and not “actual” assessment.
Other voices on this issue:
1.A guy exploring this issue from the "competitiveness standpoint".
2.Union Guy's first writing and it's on minimum wage issue.
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