The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) said that it had never neglected its role in protecting the interest of various industries; especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in regards to the issue of minimum wages, reports BERNAMA.
In a statement, the ACCCIM said that leaders Tan Sri William Cheng,Datuk Lim Kok Cheong and Secretary-General Datuk Low Kian Chuan have been monitoring the progress of minimum wage closely since 2007.
This clarification was issued as a response to a recent allegation by certain guilds and associations that it had not done enough to protect SMEs, which are facing hardship as a result of the implementation of a minimum wage scheme.
According to the association, it had rejected the implementation of a minimum wage when the Ministry of Human Resource first made the proposal in 2007, and again in 2010 along with other private sector organisations.
ACCCIM then submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister on 27 November 2012 when the government refused to postpone the implementation of the minimum wage policy. The association further resubmitted its proposal on 16 January 2012 during a dialogue with the Prime Minister and urged the government to review the issue seriously.
