‘That is why wage rates must be re-evaluated periodically in line with changes in the cost of living to safeguard workers’ welfare.’
KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s ongoing review of the Minimum Wages Order 2024 is crucial to determine whether current wage rates remain relevant to the circumstances and needs of workers in the country.
Union Network International – Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC) president Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal said the review is also important to ensure wages reflect the current cost of living and safeguard workers’ welfare and their ability to enjoy a decent standard of living.
“The issue of wages is not merely about figures on a payslip, more importantly, it is about purchasing power to meet a family’s basic needs.
“That is why wage rates must be re-evaluated periodically in line with changes in the cost of living to safeguard workers’ welfare,” he said in a statement today.
He said workers are among the main pillars that contribute to the growth and development of the country’s economy. Therefore, their welfare must continue to be given attention in the formation of labour market policies.
“Workers should not be placed in a situation where their wages are barely sufficient to meet basic needs, leaving little or no financial capacity for savings, their children’s education or unexpected emergencies.
“True worker welfare is not about luxury, but the ability to lead a decent life through the fruits of one’s own hard work,” he said.
However, Mohamed Shafie stressed that reviewing the minimum wage did not automatically mean that the wage would be increased, but provided an opportunity for the government, employers and workers to assess the suitability of the current rate fairly and equitably.
UNI-MLC also expressed its readiness to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the national wage policy remained responsive to economic realities and the needs of workers.
