Tour bus group denies RM700 basic pay claim for drivers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Tour Bus Operators Association has refuted claims that full-time tour bus drivers receive a basic salary as low as RM700 a month.
Deputy president Mohd Rofik Mohd Yusoff said full-time tour bus drivers in Malaysia are paid a minimum monthly wage of RM1,700.
He said drivers who are paid below the minimum wage are most likely part-time drivers who have permanent jobs elsewhere.
"Most tour bus drivers in Malaysia are full-time salaried employees. If someone claims that full-time tour bus drivers earn RM700, that is incorrect.
"The minimum wage, as set by the government, is RM1,700, and this is paid to full-time drivers by their companies," he told "Harian Metro".
Rofik said full-time drivers often increase their earnings through additional trips, for which they are paid a 15 per cent commission by their employer.
He said the issue of inconsistent income affects only part-time drivers, who are not tied to any company.
"Part-time drivers might feel that their earnings are insufficient, but they have other full-time jobs. They only drive occasionally to earn some extra income."
Meanwhile, he said the tour bus industry is facing a shortage of qualified, full-time drivers.
"The industry is struggling to find drivers willing to work full time. That's the main issue. It's why part-time drivers exist in the first place.
"Some drivers do not want to commit to a full-time position.
"They prefer to drive when they feel like it and opt out when they don't. In such cases, companies are unable to take action."
He advised part-time drivers to consider applying for full-time positions to enjoy benefits, such as Employees Provident Fund contributions, Social Security Organisation coverage and insurance protection.
Rofik said full-time drivers continue to receive their salaries even during low-travel periods, such as Ramadan.
"For drivers employed on a full-time basis, regardless of whether there are trips during the fasting month or festive seasons, they still receive their monthly salary."
Yesterday, "Harian Metro" reported that some bus drivers are forced to rely on travel allowances and overtime, often sacrificing their days off to cover living expenses, with a basic salary as low as RM700 a month, or in some cases, no basic salary at all.
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New Straits Times
8 hours ago
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Tour bus group denies RM700 basic pay claim for drivers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Tour Bus Operators Association has refuted claims that full-time tour bus drivers receive a basic salary as low as RM700 a month. Deputy president Mohd Rofik Mohd Yusoff said full-time tour bus drivers in Malaysia are paid a minimum monthly wage of RM1,700. He said drivers who are paid below the minimum wage are most likely part-time drivers who have permanent jobs elsewhere. "Most tour bus drivers in Malaysia are full-time salaried employees. If someone claims that full-time tour bus drivers earn RM700, that is incorrect. "The minimum wage, as set by the government, is RM1,700, and this is paid to full-time drivers by their companies," he told "Harian Metro". Rofik said full-time drivers often increase their earnings through additional trips, for which they are paid a 15 per cent commission by their employer. He said the issue of inconsistent income affects only part-time drivers, who are not tied to any company. "Part-time drivers might feel that their earnings are insufficient, but they have other full-time jobs. They only drive occasionally to earn some extra income." Meanwhile, he said the tour bus industry is facing a shortage of qualified, full-time drivers. "The industry is struggling to find drivers willing to work full time. That's the main issue. It's why part-time drivers exist in the first place. "Some drivers do not want to commit to a full-time position. "They prefer to drive when they feel like it and opt out when they don't. In such cases, companies are unable to take action." He advised part-time drivers to consider applying for full-time positions to enjoy benefits, such as Employees Provident Fund contributions, Social Security Organisation coverage and insurance protection. Rofik said full-time drivers continue to receive their salaries even during low-travel periods, such as Ramadan. "For drivers employed on a full-time basis, regardless of whether there are trips during the fasting month or festive seasons, they still receive their monthly salary." Yesterday, "Harian Metro" reported that some bus drivers are forced to rely on travel allowances and overtime, often sacrificing their days off to cover living expenses, with a basic salary as low as RM700 a month, or in some cases, no basic salary at all.
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KUALA LUMPUR: With a basic salary as low as RM700 a month, or sometimes none, bus drivers depend heavily on travel allowances and overtime, often sacrificing their days off just to cover living expenses. A 34-year-old tour bus driver, who only wished to be known as Mior, said he relied entirely on commissions and the distance travelled, based on his customers' requests. "My basic salary is only RM700 a month. I receive a 15 per cent commission for each bus rental, while the remaining 85 per cent goes to the employer or tour bus owner. "If I take on many long-distance trips, I can earn up to RM3,000 to RM4,000 a month, with only five or six days off. "But if I take on shorter trips, I earn around RM2,000. "Based on last year's records, the fewest days off I had in a month was three," he said when contacted. Mior earns about RM400 for a trip from Parit to Seri Iskandar, Johor. A journey from Seri Iskandar to Kuala Lumpur, including sightseeing with his passengers, brings in about RM1,800. With a 15 per cent commission per rental, he pockets an additional RM60 for the first trip and RM270 for the latter. However, a 29-year-old bus driver, who only wished to be known as Mamat, claimed his company did not provide any basic salary. "For a trip from Manjung to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), I earn about RM50. I can make around RM100 a day for a return trip. "If I have four days off a month, I earn about RM2,600. If I work without any days off, I can make RM3,000," he said, adding that he still needed to apply for leave whenever necessary. He however said some express bus companies provide a basic salary of RM1,700, including travel allowances. Previously, Bumiputera Bus Operators Association (PPBBM) chairman Zainal Abidin Mehat said some companies allowed their drivers to work up to 28 days a month due to a shortage of drivers. He said the arrangement was mutually agreed upon by both the company and the drivers for their shared benefit. Zainal also said that bus drivers typically earn a basic salary of RM1,700 and have to rely on travel allowances and overtime to supplement their income.
