Govt to amend law to make RM2,500 minimum starting salary for graduates mandatory
PUTRAJAYA: The government plans to amend the National Wages Consultative Council Act to make it compulsory for employers to pay graduates a minimum starting salary, says Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian government intends to modify the National Wages Consultative Council Act to enforce a minimum starting salary of RM2,500 for graduates, according to Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan. The amendments would incorporate educational qualifications as a determining factor in establishing minimum wages, filling a gap in the current legislation.
The existing Act lacks specific provisions regarding minimum wages based on workers' educational backgrounds. The ministry will accelerate the preparation of necessary paperwork and legislative amendments, with the goal of bringing the proposed changes before parliament as soon as possible. Ramanan mentioned this response to a question about the timetable for the amendments, although he didn't provide a specific date.
The government announced the RM2,500 minimum starting salary framework for graduates and semi-skilled workers as part of its 2027 Budget. Currently, the ministry plans to introduce the salary framework through guidelines, set to be implemented in June 2027, pending the legal changes required to make minimum graduate salaries compulsory.
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