Minimum wage fixed at RM1,050 nationwide from next year
FMT Reporters
-September 5, 2018
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Reuters pic.PETALING JAYA: Putrajaya has fixed the new minimum wage nationwide at RM1,050 or RM5.05 sen per hour, which will take effect from Jan 1 next year.
The new rate is also standardised for the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.
Presently, the minimum wage is set at RM1,000 monthly for Peninsular Malaysia and RM920 for Sabah and Sarawak.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Department said the increase took into account the economic situation of the country, and as such avoided any drastic raise that “could pose problems to various industries”.
“We have to be cautious,” it said.
It said the increase in wages would be done gradually so that small-scale industries would not be forced to shut down due to high operating cost.
Putrajaya also reminded employers and businesses not to use the new rate as an excuse to hike prices.
The National Wage Consultative Council (NWCC) had earlier studied a proposal on minimum salary hike and the suggestions were discussed at the Cabinet meeting today.
Standardising the minimum wage across Malaysia is part of the 10-point election pledge which Pakatan Harapan said would be fulfilled during its first 100 days in power.
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