Some 10,000 employers yet to implement minimum wage scheme

About 10,000 employers in the private sector have yet to implement the Minimum Wage Scheme since it was enforced on Jan 1, last year, said Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib. He said although the number represented only five percent of the 200,000 employers registered with the Labour Department, the government viewed the matter seriously.

"Employees have the right to lodge a complaint with the Labour Department and the HR Ministry if their employer still failed to implement the policy. "According to the ministry's records, three employers have been taken to court, thus far," he added.

Ismail was speaking to reporters after launching the Azam Kerja Career and Skills Carnival.

Meanwhile, Ismail said, as of last June, the national unemployment rate registered a decline of only 2.8 percent as compared to 3.1 percent in the previous year. He said this figure was among the lowest compared with other developed countries.

The Maran MP said the search for better jobs based on one's qualifications and skills was among contributing factors to unemployment. He said the total number of active job seekers until Sept 1, was 403,897, of which 231,169 were graduates, vying for 115,672 available jobs.