THE Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has welcomed the raise in minimum wage from RM1,500 to RM1,700 starting next February.
Its president Effendy Abdul Ghani said the increase will ease the burdens faced by the people due to the rising cost of living and is aligned with Malaysia’s goals of developing a fair economy.
"Employers must dutifully implement the new minimum wage," he said.
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) meanwhile, said the announcement recognised the need for workers’ wages to keep up with inflation and consumer price movements while ensuring sustainable growth for industries.
FMM looks forward to this well-considered implementation that supports both employees’ welfare and business competitiveness, it said in a statement.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the new minimum wage increase when tabling the 2025 National Budget.
He said the move aims to improve the livelihoods of Malaysian workers, especially when dealing with the rising cost of living.
“This increase in minimum wage is a step towards ensuring a better standard of living for our workers.
"We are committed to balancing the needs of employees while considering the economic capacity of small businesses,” said Anwar. - October 18, 2024
