{
  "id": 2738706,
  "title": "MTUC calls for RM3,100 minimum wage",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/mtuc-calls-for-rm3-100-minimum-wage",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-23T06:13:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/23/mtuc-calls-for-rm3-100-minimum-wage"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has urged the government to raise the country's minimum wage to RM3,100 per month, citing the need to account for the rising cost of living, particularly housing, food, transportation, and other essential expenses. MTUC Secretary-General Kamarul Baharin Mansor stated that this amount is reasonable given the increased costs of basic necessities. The union also proposed expanding the minimum wage structure to incorporate middle-income workers, ensuring that salary progression aligns with their skills, education, and work experience. This move is expected to help address skills gaps, attract quality talent, and foster productivity and wage growth.\n\nKamarul Baharin welcomed the government's recent decision to review the minimum wage, noting that such reviews are mandated every two years under the National Wages Consultative Act. He emphasized that the increase implemented in February 2025 should take effect in February 2027, as there are only five months left. However, he urged the authorities to expedite the announcement of the new rate, warning that any delay could further strain workers facing rising costs. Currently, some employees with 10 years of service are still earning as little as RM1,700 due to the absence of a comprehensive wage structure. The MTUC is prepared to collaborate with the government through the National Wages Consultative Council to provide input and feedback on the proposed minimum wage adjustments.",
  "summary": "MTUC says the minimum wage structure should also be expanded to cover middle-income workers to ensure salary progression reflects their skills, education and work experience.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "MTUC calls for RM3,100 minimum wage",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/mtuc-calls-for-rm3-100-minimum-wage-2738981",
        "published": "2026-08-23T06:13:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}