Kerajaan digesa segera wajibkan Dasar Gaji Progresif dalam sektor swasta

Kerajaan has called for the immediate implementation of Progressive Wage Standards (PWS) in the private sector, along with a subsidy incentive for employers to help shoulder the rising costs of living for their employees. Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut) emphasized that the median wage in the private sector, currently RM2,600 per month, is no longer sufficient to cover daily living expenses.

The purchasing power of the currency has been eroded by rising food prices, where inflation has ranged between 3.0% to 4.5%, far outpacing wage growth. The median wage in the private sector is now insufficient to cover daily living costs, Khairil stated during the 2027 Budget discussion in the Dewan Rakyat. He added, the sandwich generation also faces financial pressure due to the need to pay for their aging parents' healthcare, in addition to their children's school expenses.

This situation is more concerning when over 50% of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members below 55 years of age are reported to have savings below RM10,000, and Malaysia is expected to become an aging nation by 2040. To address this, Khairil proposed four solutions to the Finance Ministry, including acknowledging the sandwich generation as a target group for government assistance.

He also suggested granting a special tax deduction to those who purchase medical insurance for their parents. Furthermore, the government could introduce paid leave or income protection for workers caring for aging parents or those with chronic illnesses and disabilities. The government must also streamline access to existing assistance to make it easier for these groups to receive the financial support they need.