KUALA LUMPUR – Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan agrees that the current minimum wage of RM1,500 is insufficient for many households amid the rising cost of living.
However, he said the government has no intention of revising the figure at the moment, unless the economy improves, among other factors that will be taken into consideration.
“We have to look at the bigger picture, in terms of national economic growth and what not, only then are we able to make a decision.
“But at this point in time, our final decision is for the minimum wage to be at RM1,500,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Saravanan was responding to a question from Steven Choong Shiau Yoon (Tebrau-PBM) about whether he agrees that the current RM1,500 minimum wage is not enough to support low-income households, and if the government has any plan to increase the wage further.
On March 19, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the minimum wage would be increased from RM1,200 to RM1,500 beginning May this year.
Exemption is only given to employers with less than five employees, with the implementation to take effect on January 1, 2023.
Asked by Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa (Parit Buntar-PH) if the government has any intention of topping up the remaining RM300 per worker for small businesses – to ensure all Malaysians enjoy the new minimum wage – Saravanan said the matter will be reviewed if necessary.
Separately, the minister said since the new Minimum Wages Order 2022 came into effect, a total of 157 complaints have been lodged to the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department by workers over supposed failure to adhere to the new minimum wage.
Following an investigation, Saravanan said 118 of them have been found guilty of blatantly violating the order and have been issued warnings and advice.
However, he added that no employer has yet to be charged in court for infringement.
“This is because the new minimum wage only came into force on May 1, while salaries were paid out starting early June. As of now, we are not yet able to obtain the statistics on employers who violated the order.”
Saravanan said the Labour Department would conduct constant statutory inspections and spot checks on employers to ensure the new minimum wage is implemented. – The Vibes, July 25, 2022
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