The average monthly contribution in 1935 was RM 1.57 and in 1937, RM 1.885, the increase it is stated, reflecting the rise in national income which had taken place in the interval. It is claimed that the latter figure of RM 1.885, even though it is an average based on the contributions of employers as well as workers, is less than the amount paid by the worker to the former trade unions. Members of the Labor Front apparently receive nothing per se for their contributions other than the privileges of membership, which among other things entitles them to participate in Strength through Joy and, in some deserving cases, vouchsafes workers or their families certain subsidies should they become destitute through no fault of their own. The writer was told that in February 1937, RM 28,600,000 were received in contributions, and that the monthly total thereafter ran at about RM 30,000,000 until December when RM 35,200,000 were collected. It was explained that the exceptional rise in December was based upon income increases due to Christmas and year-end bonuses. The sum of RM 300,000,000, representing contributions for ten months of the year, added to the amount of RM 63,800,000 received in January and December, would therefore yield a grand total income in contributions of well over RM 363,000,000 for 1937. |