MIC president G Palanivel has asked members of the Indian community, who are unable to make a living for themselves in towns and cities, to come back and work in the plantation sector, including in estates owned by government-linked companies.
Palanivel (left), the deputy plantation industries and commodities minister, said the government had agreed to a minimum wage of about RM700 a month for the sector, compared to RM300 previously.
There were also other facilities available in estates, including free transportation for students in estate areas and free housing, he said, adding that the cost of living in estates was also low.
"The ties among estate communities are also close and the environment is secure because they are guarded round-the-clock," he told reporters after visiting the party's community service centre at Wisma MIC, here.
He explained however that the call was meant for those who were unable to get used to urban life and were mired in hardships, particularly single mothers.
He said estates owned by GLCs such as Sime Darby were facing shortage of workers.
Rather than taking foreign workers from Indonesia and Bangladesh, it would be better that the shortage be filled by Malaysians, he said.
Tackling poverty
Palanivel added that poverty was among problems faced by the community and that the MIC was striving to find a solution to it.
On whether the Indian community now recognised the MIC after rejecting the party in the 2008 general election, Palanivel said he was confident that the community would support the party in the coming election.
On the demonstrations staged by Hindraf in the national capital last month, Palanivel said the protest was not about fighting for the Indian community.
"I want to ask you, was the demonstration held to uphold the struggle for the Indian community, to highlight problems of poverty? The demonstration was against the use of the novel 'Interlok'.
"They are not fighting for the Indian community," he said.
- Bernama
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Are we living in 2011 or in some dark ages where our forefathers just arrived from India? Why did the estate workers move out to the cities… was it the lure of city living or was it the hope for a better living..
I am baffled by our so-called leader’s statement.. As a leader of a community.. you seem to be living in a la…la.. or leh..leh.. land..
Wages of RM700
How is anyone to live with that kind of wages with 3 or 4 kids in a household. I am wondering if you stripped off all your riches.. would you be able to last with RM700 for a month?
If GLCs are looking for estate workers, then it’s high time that they start relooking at the wage structure.. they are raking in billions of profits, are they not so why can they not share it with their employees..
In tackling poverty..
there are always alternatives to working in the estates.. In many developing countries to eradicate the poor, they work towards empowering them.. not giving them money but teaching them skills for sustenance of income.. But do enlightened me, how do you tackle poverty with a monthly wage of RM700.
We are supposedly a developed country.. and our supposed leaders are sending the Indians back to the estates to continue to be low wage labourers if not bonded for life..
Why are we not looking at a more integrated approach to empower these women by starting out cottage industries.. or something that will supplement their current income..
There are solutions to the current issues plaguing the community.. if only leaders will stop making a mockery and start listening to the actual issues…
Wise or Otherwise..
dhena
