90% of those being interviewed tighten their belt, unable to handle daily expenses after implementation of GST

Sin Chew Daily, 30 June 2015

(KUALA LUMPUR 29 June) A recent survey by Jobstreet.com recruitment portal indicates that after implementation of goods and services tax (GST), 90% of interviewees are of the view that they are unable to handle daily expenses. In fact, 24% of them are already financially tight prior to GST.

Jobstreet recruitment portal

The survey discloses that GST has brought huge change to daily lives of interviewees. 56% of them reduce the number of times having lunch with colleagues while 47% of them bring food from home.

Being thrifty to control expenses

Of those being interviewed, some resort to car-pooling and more frequent use of pantries in office.

Majority of them expressed that their salaries needed to increase to help them handle GST. 40% of them said they need a 10% to 20% of adjustments while 36% of them hope their salaries to increase by 20% to 50%.

On welfare, 63% of them needed car allowance to cushion the impact of GST. On the other hand, some are exploring new ways to increase income. 35% of them are considering changing jobs while 33% of them consider taking up part time and freelance jobs.

On the other hand, employers who are being interviewed said after implementation of GST, 41% of staff request for salary increment but only 19% of employers agreed. A total of 1,454 workers and 490 employers participated in the survey.

Malaysians’ way of being thrifty

56% cut down occasion on having lunch with colleagues
47% pack food from home
36% use pantry in office more often
19% GST does not affect my work
13% opt for public transport
10% car pool

Salary increase requested by Malaysians:
Percentage of people – margin of increase

2% – 0-5%
22% – 5-10%
40% – 10-20%
36% –20-50%

Allowances Malaysians hope companies to offer:

63% – petrol allowance
21% – increase medical allowance
10% – parking allowance
6% – phone allowance

Original Source:
GST後無法應付日常開銷‧90%受訪者束緊腰帶