SOME employers and industry players have agreed to the minimum wage policy, which will take effect from May 1, said Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan.

He said this is based on the current development of their company or sector, apart from the demand for the entry of more than 500,000 foreign workers.

“The plantation sector is doing extremely well. If the economy is not doing well, how come there is a demand for 519,000 foreign workers?

“Wages need to be increased to enable people at the grassroots level to spend their money and improve the economy faster.”

It was reported that some industry players, including restaurant owners and manufacturing associations, asked the government for time to adapt to the situation before implementing the new policy.

Saravanan said the government is working towards creating 600,000 jobs in the country.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on March 19 announced that the government has agreed to increase the minimum wage from RM1,200 a month to RM1,500 a month from May 1. – Bernama, April 15, 2022.