A single mother left Malaysians stunned after she revealed that she had been earning the same salary after working for more than two decades at a petrol station.
The post has since sparked a lively debate about whether employees who dedicated years of service to the company should have a pay raise.
Earned less than RM2,500 per month
In a Threads post that has garnered 7,000 likes, the OP said that her first day on the job was on May 31, 2004, and that she never left for another job up until today.
“Hi guys. Today, 31 May, marks my 22nd year working at the same place. As long as I can keep going mentally, I’ll just stay here. I still keep my first payslip safely. Try guessing how much my basic salary is now,” she quipped.
Netizens quickly did the math based on the first payslip the OP received and were surprised to learn that she only earned less than RM2,500 a month—a figure which would be considered inconceivable by many today.
Debate
Unsurprisingly, netizens were shocked to learn that such a longstanding employee would still be earning such a low income for years.
Some also criticised the petrol station for failing to give the OP a pay raise as a reward for her loyalty and dedication.
Not long after the post went viral, the OP explained the reasons why she chose to stay despite earning the same salary for 22 years:
- She lives about 3.5km away from her workplace, saving both her time and transportation costs
- Her boss offers her flexible working arrangements, allowing her to send her kids to and from school and better manage family responsibilities as a single mother since 2018
- She enjoys the friendly work environment and approachable management, adding that she finds it easy to apply leave or swap shifts
- She’s hesitant to start over with a low entry-level salary due to her age
The OP also expressed surprise over the post’s popularity and urged netizens not to fight each other over it.
“I’m okay with my salary. I didn’t study very well, so I’m not that picky about work. Yes, my basic salary is still below RM2,500, but InsyaAllah, as long as I work with sincerity, discipline, and trust, Allah will provide enough.”
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