A study from Universiti Malaya shows that low-income Malaysians face significant challenges in food affordability, working longer hours than counterparts in other countries. The research highlights disparities in time worked for basic food items and calls for policy interventions to improve food security and wage reforms.
A recent study from the Social Wellbeing Research Centre at Universiti Malaya highlights the challenges faced by low-income Malaysians in affording basic food items. The research indicates that minimum-wage workers in Malaysia must exert significantly more labor hours compared to their counterparts in other nations to secure essential food items due to persistently low wages that lag behind international standards.
For instance, a worker in the Netherlands needs only four minutes of work to buy one liter of milk, while a Malaysian requires 58 minutes for the same quantity. This working disparity extends to various staples, with Malaysians needing to work 130 minutes for 1 kg of chicken compared to just 28 minutes for Australians. Additionally, for 1 kg of beef, Malaysians work 271 minutes versus 45 minutes in New Zealand.
The time required for basic fruits and vegetables also showcases significant disparities. Malaysians spend 92 minutes for 1 kg of apples, 47 minutes for bananas, and 34 minutes for lettuce, whereas workers in the Netherlands and Germany spend only six, five, and three minutes, respectively. The minimum wage in Malaysia contrasts sharply with those of peer countries, with a substantial portion of the workforce earning less than two-thirds of the median wage.
Urban households, which lack land for subsistence farming, depend entirely on markets for food. This situation shifts the food security dynamic from availability to affordability. Many urban dwellers resort to unhealthy and cheaper calorically dense options like instant noodles due to financial constraints.
The study highlights that food inflation further undermines purchasing power, with Malaysia experiencing a 6.8% increase in food prices in 2022 for staples such as rice, chicken, and vegetables. This economic burden forces low-income families to allocate a significant portion of their earnings toward food.
To address these concerns, the study recommends vital policy interventions including implementing a social protection floor, enhancing school feeding programs, and establishing automatic minimum wage adjustments linked to a low-wage indicator. This also includes reinforcing child benefits and income support for vulnerable populations to mitigate food insecurity in economic downturns. Moreover, the need for nutritious meals for schoolchildren is emphasized to alleviate the financial load on low-income families.
Wage reforms are suggested, advocating for a structured wage adjustment mechanism tied to inflation, ensuring that the purchasing power of low-income workers balances with living costs. As of 2023, the minimum wage was revised from RM1,200 to RM1,500, with plans for a further increase to RM1,700 in 2025 following public advocacy.
The article reveals the alarming disparities in food affordability for minimum-wage workers in Malaysia, who must work significantly longer hours compared to their peers in other countries. This issue is compounded by low wages, food inflation, and a lack of access to affordable, nutritious food, particularly for urban residents. The proposed policy changes aim to improve food security and ensure that low-income Malaysians can afford basic necessities. Effective wage reforms and social assistance measures underline the urgent need to address these socio-economic challenges for better food access and nutrition.
Original Source: www.malaysianow.com
