Harian Metro had reported that some express and tour bus drivers claimed they receive basic salaries as low as RM700, with some saying they are not paid base salaries at all.

In a statement today, the ministry said it takes such reports seriously, and that the labour department will tighten enforcement against parties violating the laws on wages.

It reiterated that all companies must pay their employees a minimum of RM1,700 regardless of salary structure, according to the Minimum Wages Order 2024.

It said companies that flout the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 are punishable under Section 43 of the Act, with first-time offenders liable to a fine not exceeding RM10,000 for each employee, and repeat offenders a maximum of RM20,000 or up to five years’ prison sentence.

In the report, those who claimed they are not paid basic salaries said they have to rely on travel allowances and overtime work to make ends meet.

“In my company, there is no base salary. I earn RM50 for a single trip from Manjung (Perak) to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (Kuala Lumpur). I can make RM100 a day from a round trip.

“If I take four days off in a month, I earn around RM2,600. If I don’t take any day off, I can earn RM3,000,” said a 29-year-old express bus driver who only wanted to be known as Mamat.

Another driver, who asked to be identified as Mior, said he had previously taken only three days off in a month, relying on payment depending on the distance of his trips.

Malaysian Bumiputera Bus Operators Association chairman Zainal Abidin Mehat also said some bus companies allow their drivers to work up to 28 days a month because of a shortage of manpower.

The ministry also said it would carry out a review of 28 labour-related laws through a task force headed by deputy secretary-general (policy and international) Shaharin Umar to ensure that there are no exploitable legal loopholes.

This review is scheduled for completion in May next year.