{
  "id": 1866725,
  "title": "Gaji minimum perlu ikut realiti kos sara hidup, kata UNI-MLC",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/gaji-minimum-perlu-ikut-realiti-kos-sara-hidup-kata-uni-mlc",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-19T03:59:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/08/19/gaji-minimum-perlu-ikut-realiti-kos-sara-hidup-kata-uni-mlc"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal, president of UNI Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC), emphasized that the determination of the minimum wage must account for the reality of basic living costs to ensure workers' salaries can truly afford essential needs and guarantee dignified living, according to a report. The president highlighted that changes in costs such as food, housing, transportation, education, and essential needs directly impact workers' purchasing power, particularly the low-income group. He pointed out that reviewing the 2024 Minimum Wage Order by the government is crucial to determine if the current rate remains relevant to today's economic conditions and workers' needs.\n\nHe stressed that the issue of wages should not be judged based solely on the amount on the pay slip but rather on what can be purchased with that salary and whether it is sufficient to meet a worker's basic family needs. \"When living costs change, the real value of workers' earnings also changes. That's why wages need to be assessed on a continuous basis to ensure continued protection of workers' welfare and purchasing power,\" he said in a statement.\n\nEarlier, Human Resources Minister R Ramanan stated that the review of the minimum wage takes into account poverty lines, middle-income wages, labor productivity, and unemployment rates. Yesterday, the minister was reported to be reviewing a potential RM1,700 minimum wage rate to decide whether to keep or raise it. The review would consider poverty lines, middle-income wages, labor productivity, and unemployment rates. UNI-MLC is ready to provide insights and cooperation in this process, the union stated.",
  "summary": "Presidennya Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal berkata semakan kadar RM1,700 perlu mengambil kira kuasa beli pekerja.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Gaji minimum perlu ikut realiti kos sara hidup, kata UNI-MLC",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/gaji-minimum-perlu-ikut-realiti-kos-sara-hidup-kata-uni-mlc-1869349",
        "published": "2026-08-19T03:59:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Govt must consider cost of living in minimum wage review, says UNI-MLC",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/govt-must-consider-cost-of-living-in-minimum-wage-review-says-uni-mlc",
        "published": "2026-08-19T04:48:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}