BY: FARA NADIRAH
Every year, once the Chinese New Year festivities and celebrations are concluded, there will be in place a round of price increases for goods and services and this year is no different as businesses hike prices accordingly.
All along, Malaysians have been very vocal and critical of price increases which they cannot understand why but the facts pointed out to them by the government is that there is a global recession causing prices to spiral.
This is why Malaysians are feeling the pinch once again and it doesn’t help that inflation in this country is at runaway levels which accounts for and is the main reason why prices of goods and services keep increasing.
Owing to this, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) and bosses and employers are being requested to give appropriate increments or adjustments to the wages and salaries of workers and employees respectively.
While this would greatly alleviate the plight of Malaysian workers, businesses and companies and organizations must ensure that they put in place mechanisms to retain workers and to keep them happy and satisfied.
But a greater concern expressed by Malaysians is the growing number of businesses that are not just making profits but actually taking advantage of the economic downturn to profiteer immensely by exploiting the situation.
This is a definite no no for Malaysians who want the government to deploy enforcement officers to apprehend the culprits who are profiteering and bring them to book and teach them lessons on doing business the right and proper way.
Other Malaysians also voice concern and are up in arms with businesses and traders who hike up prices without any justification and they want the relevant government ministries, departments and agencies to take action.
The irresponsible nature of profiteers is causing headaches for all Malaysians and the government should get to the root of the problem to create awareness and educate consumers on these rogue businesses.
While, in general, there is to be expected price increases, they should not be frequent and should be in line with the aims and objectives of businesses to pursue the bottom line which is profit taking.
In Malaysia, certain hypermarkets, supermarkets and grocery stores are price conscious and ensure that while they make a profit they also make their goods affordable for those who patronise their businesses.
This is what many Malaysians wish to see, responsible businesses, who conduct their affairs with due thought and consideration for consumers and this is why many people flock to these outlets.
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher
