Sunday, July 20, 2008

Westports Helps Employees Overcome Fuel And Food Price Increases

KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Bernama) -- Wesports Malaysia, which is aware that the rising living cost is likely to affect morale and productivity, has announced improved benefits for its workers to increase their take-home pay and ease their burden.

In a statement, Wesports said it was fully aware of the increases in fuel price, toll, utilities cost and general food expenditure.

"These will affect employees purchasing power. The port is also keen to see its employees continuously improve productivity," it said.

Executive chairman, Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam, said on June 8, following the fuel price increase and the Tenaga Nasional Bhd's revised tariff rates, the company has improved the incentive scheme, introduced higher allowance to help employees cushion the effects of all round price increases.

Among the measures are:

Staff income has been increased by RM50 each in the form of shift allowance or salary increase;

A new incentive scheme for all operational staff has been implemented;

For terminal equipment operators, the incentive payout was increased for attainment of better moves per hour;

The incentive scheme for mechanical and repair technicians, measured by breakdown hours/equipment, ranged from RM150 to RM450;

Employees are encouraged to switch their cars from petrol to gas by giving them a RM4,000 loan at four percent interest deductible over 24 months;

A full grocery store has been set up at its business centre for employees; and,

Employees will be permitted to buy goods with their e-purse only, which will also be increased from the current RM200 to RM300 per month which took effect from Aug 1.

-- BERNAMA