Gaji minimum GLC RM3,100 tak boleh jadi penanda aras, kata majikan

Corporate giants like government-linked companies (GLCs) should not be used as a benchmark for determining the national minimum wage, according to Malaysia's corporate and industrial associations. The Federation of Malaysian Employers (MEF) and Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) stress that small businesses operate at different levels, and they find it challenging to afford higher wages.

Syed Hussain Syed Husman, MEF's Deputy Chairman, explained that GLCs and government-linked investment companies (GLICs) differ significantly in terms of capacity, productivity, and ability to absorb wage costs.

The operational environment and business models of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are vastly different from those of GLCs and GLICs, he told FMT. However, he added, data from the Department of Statistics shows the average monthly wage for formal sector workers has reached RM3,027, far exceeding the statutory minimum wage of RM1,700.

Increasing the minimum wage from RM1,700 to RM3,100 would result in an 82.4% rise in wage costs, which could lead to increased operational expenses, rent, and utility bills for the workforce.

Recently, the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) called on the government to set the minimum wage at RM3,100 per month in the 2027 budget, to be discussed in the Dewan Rakyat on October 9. The government has set RM3,100 as the benchmark for a living wage for GLC and GLIC employees. According to the Workers' Provident Fund (KWSP) and Universiti Malaya, a monthly income of RM3,100 would enable a family to participate meaningfully in society, pursue personal interests, and support family development without facing financial pressure.

Last year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told Parliament that 34 GLCs and GLICs had already implemented the RM3,100 living wage standard. FMM President Jacob Lee argued that workers should be paid more when a company records good performance, but many large corporations' profits do not reflect the situation faced by most businesses. He said the large profit gains of a few successful corporations cannot represent the industrial community as a whole.