RM1,000 minimum wage beginning July

The government has set a minimum wage of RM1,000 for all employees beginning July.

This rate would also apply to wages of all foreign workers in the country, Deputy Human Resource Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Abdul Muttalib said.

He said the decision was made after considering various aspects including cost of living and the nation’s economic growth.

He said the minimum wage review was made once every two years to ensure employee productivity and competitiveness remains at the optimum level.

“The government will review once every two years. This is in line with the National Wages Act and take into account various aspects including cost of living, productivity level and such. The next review will be in 2018,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Ismail was responding to a question by Su Keong Siong (DAP-Ipoh Timur) who wanted to know the latest update on the country’s minimum wage status.

Meanwhile, Ismail also informed that the minimum wage in Sabah and Sarawak was at RM920.

He said, any employer which fail to comply with the rate can have action taken against them under the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011.

Since 2014, a total of 692 employers have been prosecuted after 81,200 checks were conducted, he added.