Letter: Rethink the stimulus package

LETTER | Since the announcement of the latest economic stimulus package, there has been much debate and argument over it.

I think in a situation like this, everyone - businesses, individuals, government servants and the government - must accept sacrifice and adjust their lifestyle accordingly.

If everyone accepts some sacrifice, the burden becomes lighter. Business owners should take care of their workers but the workers too must make the sacrifice to ensure the continued survival of businesses.

Business owners should try to minimise the retrenchment of their workers. But they should be given the flexibility to cut salary and wages when production or operations have halted completely.

The government has decided to dish out money directly to the people. Therefore, it is only fair that companies be allowed the flexibility to reduce salary and wages at least until they are able to resume operations.

It is better to have a strategy that makes everyone survive than to maintain the incomes of workers but at the expense of their employers. 

When policies become too rigid, insisting that companies must maintain wages and salaries, some may choose to fold. This may only result in a lose-lose situation.

As a nation, we must go for a win-win strategy. This means everyone must “lose” so that the nation will win. Businesses must accept no profits or even losses. The government must accept no luxuries. 

Workers, including those from the lower-income groups, must accept a lower income and an even lower standard of living.

Sometimes I don’t understand why the government is so in the hurry to pump in so much money into the hands of the consumers when production, trade and transactions could hardly take place.

I would prefer that the government keeps the options open. Using all the bullets now would put the whole economy at risk should more pressing challenges emerge later.

Why do we need to hand out money to M40 and government servants? Why can’t they use a little of their savings first? If they have no savings, then they shouldn’t be in M40.

The government should also be more careful when helping the B40. The nation is practically at “war”. I think even the B40 too must sacrifice a little in time of war.

I am not saying businesses deserve more help than individuals from the government. 

I am saying the government must help the businesses to survive by allowing them the flexibility to manage their wage bill and workforce. 

Otherwise, we will create more problems for ourselves.  

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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