JPTGN Is Analysing and Refining the Minimum Wage Review
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Deputy Minister of Human Resources Datuk Awang Hashim said that the National Wage Legislative Technical Committee (JTPGN) is investigating and refining all the findings from the minimum wage review.
He said the report on the research's findings would be presented and debated at the National Wage Consultative Council (MPGN) level before being recommended and applied for consideration and approval from the government.
He said the Ministry of Human Resources (KSM) via MPGN had carried out six engagement sessions based on zones. These sessions were attended by 209 employers' associations, 93 trade unions as well as four non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to review the minimum wage as of September 1.
According to him, the ministry also distributed survey forms to 1,996 employer respondents and 1,996 employee respondents. KSM also implemented a 'Public Perception Survey of the Minimum Wage Order 2020' via its portal.
Awang said the total number of respondents was 239, including 177 employees at 74.2%, 25 employers at 10.5% and 37 other respondents (job seekers and the public) at 15.7%.
The deputy minister said this in reply to a question from Nurul Izzah Anwar, who asked for an explanation of the government's commitment and the details of efforts so far in the minimum wage review.
The main legislation that relates to minimum wages are the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 [Act 732] and the Minimum Wages Order 2020.
Minimum wage should be reviewed over time?
Meanwhile, former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar said that Malaysia's current monthly minimum wage of Rm1,200 could be reviewed upwards as the government can accommodate the increment.
He said that it could be done gradually over time to provide businesses enough time to plan accordingly.
Abdul Wahid said that this action would also encourage employers to enhance automation and improve their processes, which will create more high-value jobs for local workers.
According to him, it is crucial for all employers to ensure that their workers are adequately remunerated, provided with good facilities, and a safe and conducive working environment.
He added that there is room for wages to be increased over time but emphasised that the government should set a long-term or medium-term target.
The government last reviewed the minimum wage on February 1, 2020, with an RM100 increment.
In the meantime, Abdul Wahid said he hoped that companies would take the initiative to provide fair remuneration for their employees instead of waiting for the government to declare a new policy on the minimum wage.
Sources: The Edge Markets, The Edge Markets
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