18/08/05 PUTRAJAYA, (NSPT) - Some 44,000 oil palm harvesters and millworkers in the peninsula will now enjoy higher monthly guaranteed minimumearnings of RM350, up from RM325 per employee, under their new collectiveagreement (CA).Following mediation by an industrial court chairman, the new CA alsoguarantees them a seven per cent increase in wages and incentives, as wellas 18 months’ back wages from Jan 1, 2004 to June 30 this year.

The CA, signed by the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW) and theMalaysian Agricultural Producers Association (Mapa) today, is effectiveJuly 1.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn witnessed the signing.

NUPW national executive secretary A. Navamukundan said the guaranteedminimum earnings was an important "safety net" for workers, who wouldstill derive an income even if they were unable to work due to badweather. There are 90 estates and 110 mills in the peninsula.

Navamukundan said a worker could earn between RM1,000 and RM1,500 a month.

Mapa president Datuk Dr Mohd Noor Ismail said the CA was based on theproductivity-linked wage system, rewarding workers according toproductivity.