Gaji minimum: Belanjawan 2027 perlu pertimbang kemampuan PKS, kata persatuan majikan

The Malaysian Employers' Union, Micsea, is urging the government to carefully consider and implement a progressive national minimum wage rate in the 2027 budget. However, they express concern that micro and small enterprises may struggle to absorb a sudden increase in the minimum wage. The union represents small and simple companies (PKS) and explains that while wages need to keep pace with rising living costs and workers' purchasing power, the extent of any increase must reflect the actual capacity of the business and the time needed to adapt.

They also point out that the wage gap between unskilled workers is often overlooked in public discussions. For instance, if an entry-level worker's salary is raised from RM1,700 to RM2,000, the difference between their pay and that of a trained operator earning RM2,100 is only RM100. This could put pressure on employers to raise salaries for skilled workers, production staff, quality control personnel, team leaders, and junior supervisors, or risk losing them.

Micsea further highlights the additional direct costs, such as increased payroll taxes and social security contributions, which could add up to RM24,000 annually for a small business with 10 employees when wages rise from RM1,700 to RM1,900, or RM36,000 a year when wages increase to RM2,000. Furthermore, the union urges all stakeholders, including employers' associations, worker unions, PKS, industry bodies, economic experts, and informal sector representatives, to participate in consultations before any final decision is made.

They also call for multi-stakeholder dialogues under the National Wage Consultation Council (MPGN), covering topics like inflation, living costs, employment, business sustainability, investment, and regional disparities, in addition to the minimum wage itself.