‘We did more than we were paid for,’ say undervalued M’sian youth

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians, especially the youths, are willing to take up strenuous low-paying jobs but will only hold on to those that offer incentives or fair work arrangements.

Workers in the low-income group say besides fair compensation, they will pursue jobs that offer work arrangements that are more flexible and can cater to their needs.

Malik Yazrol, 21, worked as a hotel housekeeper in Ipoh when he was 19. He said he was often overworked and paid very little.

“Our salary then was RM1,200 but we were required to do more than what we were paid for,” he said.

He said besides cleaning hotel rooms, he was also tasked with maintaining the cleanliness of other parts of the building, including the cafe, lobby, car porch and staff toilets for a meagre salary.

Malik said he left the job to pursue his interest in a small-scale farming business with a friend.

“The change in environment where I can work at my own time is truly satisfying. Previously I had a tight schedule and demanding job that needed reporting to bosses,” he said.

“With my current work, I am my own boss, although I am also the labourer,” he said.

“It is indeed tiring but when I see the results, I become more motivated.

In terms of working hours, Malik said he is no longer attached to a fixed schedule, with long hours of work.

“What I like most about what I do now is that I’m no longer tied down to a timetable. Some days I have to spend more time in the garden, other days it’s just an hour or two,” he said.

A 28-year-old who only wanted to be known as Ezat said he worked at a hotel in Sungai Petani, Kedah handling reservations but was paid RM1,300 for five years. He yearned for better opportunities.

“I wanted to find a job with better pay and had better management of employees,” he said.

Ezat said he recently landed a marketing job in the tourism sector, which offers him more flexibility and pays a commission for the sales he brings in, allowing him to gain more income.

A 30-year-old teacher who only wanted to be known as Mina said she currently earns RM1,500 working as a contract teacher at an international school in Terengganu.

“Other private schools in Terengganu are offering almost the same if not less. I barely get by with the salary and the job is very stressful too.”

“The only thing that keeps me going is that I’m very passionate about teaching,” she said.