Make minimum wage of RM1500 mandatory, says MTUC

KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has urged the government to make a minimum wage of RM1,500 compulsory for all private sectors as well as government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs).

In a statement today, MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said this was in tandem with what was said by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob that private companies should pay RM1,500 as the minimum wage for workers.

"It is time for private companies to implement the minimum wage of RM1,500 as the cost of living has risen," he said.

Ismail Sabri had made a statement yesterday, urging GLCs and GLICs to implement a minimum wage of RM1,500 and such policy should be emulated by the private sector.

Similarly, Kamarul also urged the government to table a Minimum Wage Act as a basis to ensure the rights and welfare of the workers are taken care of.

"It is time for the Cabinet to announce it as the Minimum Wage Act which requires the government to review within two years," he said.

Meanwhile MTUC is pressing for a meeting with Ismail Sabri to discuss the challenges of workers in facing the rising cost of living.