As the cost of living continues to rise, expenses like housing, food, transportation, and healthcare get tougher. But with the minimum wage staying stagnant, many Malaysians are finding it hard to make ends meet.
In a recent study by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), it’s revealed how Malaysians earning a salary of RM1.5K struggle to make ends meet.
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The minimum wage in Malaysia definitely needs a boost!
UNICEF aims to make change and urges the government to take action in hopes to provide a fairer life for everyone in Malaysia.
According to their research, ‘The Living on the Edge Key Findings‘, shows that RM1,500 per month just isn’t cutting it for families’ basic needs.
UNICEF thinks it should be bumped up to RM2,102 monthly, which is more in line with BNM’s suggested living wage of RM2,700.
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“Universal childcare allowance”
UNICEF is all for bigger social support systems. They’re suggesting a universal childcare allowance of RM200 per month for moms-to-be until their kids turn 2.
It’s meant to help families out with money and create a better space for kids to grow up.
“During this period, introducing a universal childcare allowance would kickstart the process of gradually enhancing social protection for children in Malaysia.”
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EPF and PERKESO covered for all workers
UNICEF is also pushing for better protection for everyone, saying that all workers in Malaysia should have coverage from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), no matter what job they do.
This safety net helps people avoid things like injury, losing their job, or not having enough money when they’re older.
Lots of families are facing even more challenges now, especially after the pandemic, and these ideas could really do some good for everyone.
