Minimum wage increase must balance workers' welfare, SME survival, says Akmal
KLUANG: The proposed RM2,000 minimum wage must balance workers’ welfare with the ability of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to remain viable, the Economy Minister said today.
KLUANG: The proposed RM2,000 minimum wage must strike a balance between workers' welfare and the viability of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir stated today. The government is assessing various economic segments and their impact on workers' welfare and employer survival, particularly small businesses and MSMEs, he said after visiting district police quarters in Kluang.
The official announcement of the proposal will be made during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's presentation of the 2027 Budget on October 9, he told reporters when questioned about concerns that raising the minimum wage could lead to higher prices for goods and services. Akmal emphasized that the specifics of the policy would be revealed in the Budget announcement, scheduled to be presented to Parliament in the first week of October.
He advised patience, urging the public to wait for the Budget details before forming an opinion. The government's pre-Budget statement highlighted that the minimum wage has been increased to RM1,700 per month, and the Decent Wage Agenda remains a priority under the current administration.
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