Rm1 500 Minimum Wage Starting May 1 Pm Tells Umno Agm

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A national minimum wage of RM1,500 will be enforced starting May 1, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced at the Umno general assembly today.
However, the rule will only be enforced on companies with five employees or more, and there might be further exceptions for small companies that are not reaping in big revenues.
In a return to pre-2018 fashion of making big announcements at the Umno AGM, the prime minister said raising the minimum wage was needed as the B40 group was struggling with the rising cost of living.
As for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Ismail Sabri said the government was cognisant that not all can afford the new minimum wage rate so soon.
Hence, he said the government will be discussing the possibility of deferring implementation of the new minimum wage rate on SMEs that are unable to afford it.
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri YaacobThe Umno vice-president added that small traders would also be exempted.
"If there's a restaurant, shop, or warong (stall) in the kampung that has workers, we understand it is not reasonable to force a minimum wage on them.
"So when May 1 comes, (the new rate) is for big companies, including government-linked companies and such," Ismail Sabri said.
New wage up RM300 from RM1,200
The current monthly minimum wage in all cities and municipal council areas is RM1,200 while it is RM1,100 in other places. This has been in force since Jan 1, 2020.
Under the National Wages Consultative Council Act, 2011, the minimum wage must be reviewed once every two years.
Previously, labour movement NGOs and opposition parties questioned if Ismail Sabri's administration was serious in increasing the minimum wage to RM1,500.
This was especially when Senior Minister and International Trade and Industry Minister Azmin Ali urged the government to reconsider the SMEs and informal sector before making any decisions to increase the minimum wage. - Mkini

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