The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that working from home (WFH) is a viable option for employees. Some companies are considering adopting a hybrid work model, or even going fully remote, seeing as it’s something that workers want. But the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has said that workers who prefer to WFH should get a pay cut.
MEF executive director Shamsuddin Bardan noted that companies that give employees travel allowances should stop doing so for those who choose to WFH. This could result in a pay cut of between 10% and 12%. He also says that it is ultimately up to employees to choose to either get paid less, or to deal with the travel costs.
Apa jenis cadangan macam ni?
Pekerja yang kerja dari rumah pun keluar duit untuk syarikat juga.
Bil elektrik, wifi bayar sendiri. Selalunya memang kena kerja sampai malam juga. Kalau bab potong gaji, laju je fikir. pic.twitter.com/O6cGJKa1pK
— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) April 25, 2022
Naturally, this has drawn flak from a number of MPs. Among them are former youth and sports minster Syed Saddiq, who says that not only do those who WFH have to pay for their own increased electricity and internet bills, they often have to work until night.
A shallow statement. Obviously not in touch with changes in employment globally and the effects of the Pandemic and how technology has taken centre stage.
https://t.co/2bjuGaO9wq— M. Kula Segaran (@mkula) April 25, 2022
Similarly, former human resources minister M. Kula Segaran calls the suggestion by the MEF “shallow” and “out of touch with changes in employment” thanks to the pandemic and technology. He also says that “maybe now” the Ministry of Human Resources would resume the National Labour Advisory Council which, as FMT reports, was last held in 2020.
