Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ahmad Maslan has received criticism for suggesting lower income earners should work on two jobs to make ends meet.
Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general N Gopal Krishnam condemned the suggestion reported on Astro Awani last Saturday, saying the government should instead propose strategies to raise incomes.
“MTUC is strongly of the view that such recommendation is not a constructive idea to bring up.
“Instead, MTUC wants the government to rethink approaches and formulate effective strategies to ensure that all workers, regardless of whether in the private or public sectors, have sufficient income to support themselves and their families,” Gopal said in a statement today.
According to Astro Awani , Ahmad said the government encourages hard- pressed Malaysians to take up a second job.
"I think it's not wrong (to have two jobs) in Malaysia, though we have regulations, but it is still one way to address the rising cost of living.
"They can work during office hours (from 8am to 5pm) and still run their online business... As long as they have enough sleep and come to work.
"They can run their businesses on weekends," the news channel quoted Ahmad saying.
Apart from MTUC, the deputy minister also received ridicule in cyberspace over the report.
'Discourage moonlighting'
Gopal said working two jobs is an unhealthy practice and urged the government to instead discourage it.
“Notwithstanding the reasons given by Ahmad Maslan, MTUC belives in the research that shows having two jobs will lead to negative impact in terms of health and productivity of the workers.
“They won't have quality time with their family, and if this happens, we worry that more social problems will occur in a long-run.
“If the government continues to promote the two jobs scheme, it will affect the overall productivity of the organisation they working for, and the nation at large,” Gopal added.
