A study by Universiti Malaya indicates that minimum-wage workers in Malaysia must work much longer hours to afford basic food items compared to workers in other nations. The report highlights rising food prices, inadequate wages, and suggests key policy reforms to improve food security and purchasing power for low-income households.
Recent research from the Social Wellbeing Research Centre at Universiti Malaya reveals that low-income Malaysians need to work significantly longer hours to afford basic food items compared to their counterparts in other nations. The study emphasizes that low wages continue to remain below international standards, exacerbating food affordability issues for numerous households.
For instance, while a minimum-wage worker in the Netherlands requires only four minutes to earn enough for one litre of milk, a Malaysian worker must labor for 58 minutes. This trend extends to other staples: Malaysian workers exert 130 minutes for 1kg of chicken, compared to just 28 minutes in Australia, and they require 271 minutes for 1kg of beef as opposed to 45 minutes in New Zealand.
Moreover, Malaysians spend 92, 47, and 34 minutes, respectively, to purchase 1kg of apples, bananas, and lettuce. In contrast, workers in the Netherlands and Germany spend merely six, five, and three minutes. The study also indicates that many households, particularly in urban areas, face nutritional challenges due to rising food prices and inadequate wages.
Urban residents rely entirely on market purchases for their food, a structural shift that necessitates a focus on affordability over availability for food security. Many are compelled to resort to less nutritious, calorie-dense food options, such as instant noodles and fried items, due to their cost effectiveness.
The study recorded a 6.8% food price increase in 2022, affecting staples like rice, chicken, and vegetables, which further diminishes purchasing power. It advocates for three critical policy interventions: establishing a social protection floor, enhancing school feeding programs, and instituting automatic minimum wage adjustments based on a low-wage indicator to better protect low-income households from food insecurity.
To support vulnerable populations, the study recommends bolstering child benefits and income assistance, ensuring at least one nutritious meal daily for schoolchildren. Additionally, the government should consider implementing structured wage adjustments linked to inflation and the median wage, thereby improving the purchasing power of low-income workers. Despite the minimum wage increase to RM1,500 in 2023 and planned adjustments to RM1,700 in 2025, challenges remain for the workforce struggling with high food costs.
The findings from the Universiti Malaya study illustrate that low-income Malaysians face significant challenges in affording basic food items due to a combination of low wages and rising food prices. The work effort required to purchase essential staples starkly contrasts with conditions in other nations, exacerbating food insecurity among vulnerable populations. Implementing effective policy changes is critical in addressing these issues and ensuring adequate nutritional access for all citizens.
Original Source: www.malaysianow.com
