PETALING JAYA: The well-heeled are expected to ride through the storm, while the government has handed out or promised various aid to the poor.
But those who depend largely on sales commissions to earn a decent income are feeling the brunt of the economic impact brought on Covid-19 and the movement control order (MCO), enforced to arrest the outbreak.
One of them is car salesman V. Selvadurai, who earns a basic salary of RM1,200 a month. However, in good times, he can sell four or five cars a month, raising his income by three or four times, allowing him to get by.
“I rely largely on the commission to meet my monthly expenses. Like others, I need to sell at least five cars a month so I have enough money to pay the bills and have some left over for daily expenses,” he told theSun recently.
He said car salesmen are sometimes compelled to offer discounts just to get a sale.
“The economy has been on a downturn already, but now with the MCO, it has made things more difficult for us,” Selvadurai said.
“Fortunately, I have some savings that I can use to help my family ride out the MCO.”
He hoped the order will not be extended beyond April 14.
“Otherwise, most of us will face major financial problems.”
Selvadurai said the government should have a scheme to help people like him. He and others like him do not qualify for the RM600 financial aid because their individual total monthly income exceeds the RM4,000 threshold.
Daniel Yeo earns a basic salary of RM1,600 from selling electrical equipment. With RM1,000 set aside for rent, he has only RM600 left to pay the bills and for other expenses.
“I have two children in school, and without the commission, it will be extremely difficult to get by,” he told theSun.
Yeo said he relies on his commission to pay for his simple but comfortable lifestyle and the MCO had caught him and his colleagues off guard.
Chef Chris said on good days, he would give in to temptation and splurge occasionally, but now the money is strictly for necessities.
“I’m hoping to stretch what I have left until the end of April because I don’t want to dig into my emergency savings,” he said.
Chris earnes a basic salary of RM2,200 a month.
“Some people think that is very high,” he added. Beyond that, he gets a 20% cut from the profits made by the restaurant he works for.
“We were doing very well before the MCO. Then the number of customers diminished because dine-in was banned,” he said.
Eventually, the restaurant had to close as the demand for takeaways was too low.
“I’m in a tight spot now. My salary can’t cover my expenses,” he said.
He has three children – one in school, the second in kindergarten and a toddler.
