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Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Labour dept to probe company linked to bus strike
About 100 cross-border bus drivers went on strike yesterday, leaving thousands of Malaysian workers stranded on the Causeway. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Human resources minister Steven Sim said the labour department will investigate the bus company linked to a strike yesterday which left thousands of Malaysian workers stranded at the Johor-Singapore border. He also said the alleged salary deductions of the bus drivers which triggered the strike were unacceptable. 'If these allegations are true, then it is tantamount to illegal deductions of their salaries,' he told reporters after launching the World Bank's report on inclusive employment practices here. Sim said the government had already stipulated the rate of statutory deductions, and that employers would have to consult employees if they intended to deduct more than the set rate. About 100 cross-border bus drivers went on strike at 5am yesterday, leaving thousands of Malaysian workers stranded on the Causeway. A driver claimed that a new salary scheme, introduced two months ago, had reduced the income of drivers to below RM2,000 a month. He also alleged that the drivers were now required to make five trips each day instead of four. This followed a report by Harian Metro late last month, quoting some express and tour bus drivers as claiming that they received a basic salary of RM700. Others claimed they were not paid a basic salary at all. The minimum wage in Malaysia is currently RM1,700 a month. Sim said this was not the first time that complaints had been lodged against the bus company in question. He said the company violated the Employment Act two weeks ago, but did not elaborate on the matter. 'I'm warning this company, do not disregard the Employment Act. We will not compromise,' he said. 32 other bus firms also under probe In a statement later, the labour department said two investigation papers have been opened into the company involved, while 32 other firms are also being investigated. It said this followed an operation at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar today, where checks were conducted on the companies. The department said its probe papers have been opened under the Employment Act and the Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990. 'If convicted of making illegitimate pay cuts, employers can face a fine of up to RM50,000 for each offence,' it warned.
Malay Mail
22-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Human Resources Ministry opens two probes into Johor bus company following driver strike over salary cuts and excessive overtime
PUTRAJAYA, July 22 — The Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) has opened two investigation papers against a transport company following a bus driver strike at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) in Johor Bahru on Sunday. In a statement today, the ministry said that initial findings by the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) have found that the strike is linked to unresolved worker grievances, including unexplained salary deductions, the abrupt removal of special duty allowances, as well as unpaid overtime claims. 'Many drivers were reluctant to lodge formal complaints due to fear of retaliation. To avoid a repeat of the incident, JTKSM conducted early-morning checks at the premises today and found no further disruptions,' the ministry said. KESUMA also revealed that the company had previously violated the Employment (Overtime) Regulations 1980 by recording over 104 hours of overtime in a single month during operations conducted on July 17. The same operation saw KESUMA inspect 32 companies, resulting in 34 investigation papers, with 30 under the Employment Act 1955 and four under the Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446). The ministry reminded employers to comply with all provisions of the Employment Act, particularly those related to lawful salary deductions. Violations can result in fines of up to RM50,000 per offence. It noted that Human Resources Minister Steven Sim has instructed strict enforcement without compromise against companies failing to comply with labour laws. Workers facing issues such as wage deductions, unpaid overtime or mistreatment are encouraged to file complaints with JTKSM via the hotline at 03-8886 5192/5937 or email [email protected]. — Bernama
