THE government has decided to not allow any economic sector or type of employment to delay implementation of the 2022 Minimum Wage Order, said Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan.

He said the government had provided assistance to employers through the Covid-19 assistance package, such as the Wage Subsidy Programme which had helped in sustaining businesses and safeguarding employment.

“This is also to ensure employees benefit from the increase in the minimum wage,” he said in a statement today.

Saravanan said the decision on the minimum wage was appropriate to ensure the welfare of workers, especially those with low income, while employers would also benefit from the increase in consumer purchasing power.

“The government also expects the increase in the minimum wage to have a positive impact on the country, employers and employees which will help accelerate the country’s economic recovery due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The increase in the minimum wage will also help achieve Malaysia’s aspiration to become a high-income country by 2030,” he said.

The new minimum wage of RM1,500 a month effective May 1 was officially gazetted on Wednesday. – Bernama, April 30, 2022.