Its general secretary J Solomon gave the example of banks in Indonesia which help their workers by giving them two months’ salary as Aidilfitri aid.

He said the Indonesian government had also made it mandatory for the private sector there to pay at least a month’s wages to their staff.

“All banks in Indonesia recognise that this is the time when their employees, in particular those at the lower end of the wage hierarchy, need an income supplement the most,” he said.

“Banks in Malaysia are raking billions in profits, and should have no problem in extending such an aid to allow our Muslim brethren to enjoy Aidilfitri with peace of mind.

“Bank CEOs need to be socially responsible and do the right thing as their profits are increasing every year.”

Citing the Selangor state government’s special one-off aid of RM1,000 for its state civil servants, Solomon said the private sector too should emulate this gesture – which will mean a lot to the lower income workers.

Yesterday, Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari announced a special Aidilfitri aid of one month’s salary or a minimum of RM1,000 for civil servants in the state, to be paid by April 21 at the latest, Bernama reported.

Solomon said the private sector, especially industries which are making “massive profits” by operating in Malaysia and using the country’s resources, should offer financial aid to the lower income workers.