By OLIVIA MIWIL | olivia@nst.com.my
PRICE WATCH: Sabah to give it three months to get a clearer picture
KOTA KINABALU: THERE have been no drastic increases in the prices of goods and services following the start of the minimum wage policy in Sabah, said the state Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.
The ministry, however, is giving itself three months to get a clearer picture.
Its director, Noor Alam Wahid Khan, yesterday said based on its price watch in the state, the ministry had yet to find a drastic increase in prices.
"It may be too early since the implementation just took place (at the beginning of the year) and many traders can cope with the increase in labour costs."
He said this at the central market after leading a team of officers to inspect the price of goods for Chinese New Year.
He said the main complaint was the price of drinks in eateries.
"Consumers should check the prices of drinks before ordering," he said, adding the ministry would act against eateries that failed to display the price of food and drinks.
On the price-control scheme for festive goods, which started yesterday, Noor Alam said it would run until Feb 17.
In Kuching, Bernama reports that problems faced by kindergarten operators and child minders in Sarawak, because of the implementation of the minimum wage scheme, will be brought to the attention of the state cabinet, said state Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.
She said kindergarten operators were expected to face problems if they complied with the minimum wage of RM800 per month for their employees.
"The matter will be brought up at the next cabinet meeting as the ministry is aware that many kindergartens and nurseries would have to close down because of low income and high expenditure involved."
She said this to about 1,500 participants from women non-governmental organisations at the Gagasan Aspirasi Wanita programme here.
At the function, officiated by National Family and Women Development Council chairman Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil on Tuesday, participants were asked to come up with a wish list by contributing ideas and views.
The list will be handed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at a gathering of one million women next month.
Women can state their aspirations at www.mpwk.com.my, www.facebook.com/mpwkkeb or follow the council's twitter: @mpwk kebangsaan, to help turn Najib's transformation programmes into a reality.
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