The Malaysian government will implement a standardised new minimum wage of 1,050 RM (253 USD) a month or 5.05 RM per hour nationwide - including Sabah and Sarawak - from January 1 next year, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has announced.
Workers cut old tyres, which will be recycled, in an alley in Ampang, in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan)
KualaLumpur (VNA) - The Malaysian government will implement astandardised new minimum wage of 1,050 RM (253 USD) a month or 5.05 RM per hournationwide - including Sabah and Sarawak - from January 1 next year, the PrimeMinister’s Office (PMO) has announced.
According to Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama, PMO in a statement saidthat the decision was made after considering the recommendations from theNational Wages Consultative Council (MPGN) on the review of the Minimum WagesOrder 2016.
The Minimum Wages Order 2016 provides a minimum monthly wage of 1,000 RM forPeninsular Malaysia and 920 RM for Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory ofLabuan.
The statement also explained that the increase in the minimum wage was in linewith the current economic situation of the country.
“We must be aware that any drastic increase in salary will cause other problemsto the industry which could also jeopardise the country’s competitiveness,” it said.
Hence, it would be more appropriate if the minimum wage to be raisedperiodically in the coming years, especially for small and medium enterprises.
Accordingto the statement, the government also decided not to give any subsidies toemployers due to the current economic situation of the country.
“Employers and traders are also urged not to raise the prices of goods andservices following the introduction of the new minimum wage and the Ministry ofDomestic Trade and Consumer Affairs is asked to monitor the situation,” itsaid.
🧸 The latest minimum wage increase in Malaysia was in early July 2016.Accordingly, the minimum monthly salary rose from 900 RM to 1,000 RM forPeninsular Malaysia and 800 RM to 920 RM for Sabah and Sarawak.-VNA
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Workers cut old tyres, which will be recycled, in an alley in Ampang, in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan) 
