Saw this on Online Citizen facebook page.
<img src="http://www.sammyboy.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8031"/>
Actually, looking at PRC drivers' pay, add lodging subsidies, and add foreign worker levy to it, PRC drivers aren't exactly cheap!
Seems like it was the Malaysians who felt they were disadvantaged that led to the wage revisions. Before the revisions, the Malaysians actually got a worse deal than the PRCs as they did not get housing allowance. If they have to take care of their own housing, they would likely have to pay more than $220 unless they can bunk in with relatives or friends or live in JB homes.
As they were in a permanent service status, they were able to obtain a wage revision to correct this. PRC drivers on the other hand are on contracts and have to serve through the contracts. Any token increase are on pure goodwill.
I too agree that driving is only one part of the work. Being able to communicate well with passengers irrespective of race and language and a good grasp of local road names is also part of the job. If wage is the same, I would rather recruit Malaysians for the job. This is very simialr to the situation with domestic maids where Filipinos are paid more for being able handle the job better. There were instances when a PRC took a wrong turn on the road without knowing it and stubbornly refusing to change route despite repeated urgings from passengers.