While the country is caught up with Indonesia's demand to fix a minimum salary for its maids at RM 800, the Malaysian Indian Business Association (MIBA) wishes to draw attention to a deplorable situation.

Recent findings revealed that there are many locals drawing a meagre daily rated wage of RM 11 or 12 as cleaners. To MIBA, this is exploitation of the highest order.

It has even been debated in parliament to re-fix the poverty rate at RM1,500 and below. Why are the lower strata pushed to such low wage levels?

They have become so desperate, and the private sector is exploiting them. An average Malaysian spends around RM300 or more at one go in any of the sea-food restaurants in town.

Now compare this to exploited Malaysians who work at menial jobs that most would never even imagine doing, and getting paid RM300 to 350 a month.

How does he or she cope with the current standard of living? They must be living in abject poverty and the cause is exploitation.

The MIBA calls on the government to fix a minimum salary of RM800 per month for all menial jobs in the country. It is the environment that creates citizens who become social problems.

The government should create a larger middle class among its citizenry to ensure that the lower strata moves up to enjoy a better standard of living. Every citizen has a right to a better quality of life and equitable treatment.

It is the responsibility of a responsible government to narrow the income gap between the rich and the poor.

P Sivakumar is president of MIBA