Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the RM8 hourly allowance received by members of the Malaysian Volunteer Corps (Rela) needs to be reviewed and increased to a more reasonable rate.
He said the current allowance was below the minimum wage threshold, with a simple calculation showing that Rela members working regular hours could earn less than the RM1,700 minimum wage.
Saifuddin said a Rela member working eight hours a day for 24 days at RM8 an hour would earn RM64 a day, amounting to RM1,536 for the month.
“RM1,700 is the minimum wage. If they work for 24 days at RM8 an hour — eight hours a day — that is RM64 a day, and RM64 multiplied by 24 days comes to below the minimum wage,” he said.
He added that even those working 12 hours a day over the same 24-day period would receive only slightly more than the minimum wage.
“If they work 12 hours, RM96 multiplied by 24 days is only slightly above the minimum wage,” he said.
Saifuddin was speaking at a press conference after attending the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly.
