Fmm Mtuc Welcome Minimum Wage Increase To Rm1 700

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The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers said the increase in the minimum wage will help workers’ wages keep up with inflation. (File pic)
PETALING JAYA: The main umbrella body for workers’ unions and the country’s largest manufacturing group have welcomed the increase in minimum wage from RM1,500 to RM1,700.
Earlier today, prime minister and finance minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government will raise the minimum wage from RM1,500 to RM1,700 starting next February.
The minimum wage was last adjusted in May 2022 from RM1,200 to RM1,500.
Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Effendy Abdul Ghani said the increase will ease the burden caused by the rising cost of living and is aligned with Malaysia’s goals of developing a fair economy.
Effendy urged employers to dutifully implement the new minimum wage.
The government should strengthen relevant laws to ensure workers’ rights are protected, Effendy said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) 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.
Anwar, who made the announcement when tabling the 2025 budget in the Dewan Rakyat today, stressed that the restructuring of the country’s economy will only be successful if Malaysians earn better wages and enjoy a higher standard of living.
He said the government will grant employers with fewer than five employees a six-month grace period expiring on Aug 1, 2025,  to implement the RM1,700 minimum wage.
The minimum wage increase follows Anwar’s announcement in August that civil servants will receive salary increments of between 7% and 15% under the new Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) which will take effect in December.
Anwar said the human resources ministry will publish complete guidelines on starting salaries for all job sectors for the reference of workers.
Under this, the starting salary for mechanical engineers will be RM3,380; creative content designers RM2,985; and industrial and production technicians RM2,290. - FMT

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