Press Statement by Labour Law Reform Coalition on 28 December 2022 in Shah Alam
The Labour Law Reform Coalition (LLRC) reminds the Minister of Human Resources V. Sivakumar that Pakatan Harapan had promised in its 2018 election manifesto that the minimum wage would be increased to RM1500 in its first term of the administration, and PH would share the cost difference of RM500 with the employer equally. (page 75, English version)
On 20 March 2022, former PH Minister of Human Resources M. Kulasegaran said instead of postponing the implementation of minimum wage for small and medium enterprises, the government should allocate subsidies for SMEs that could not afford the new minimum rate.
Given that PH is dominating the unity government, to ensure its policy coherence and to earn respect from Malaysian workers and unions, LLRC urges the Minister of Human Resources to maintain the minimum wage of RM1500 for all enterprises, a flexible subsidy based on SMEs’ capacity should be given as minimum wage “top-up”.
N. Gopal Kishnam & Irene Xavier
Co-Chairpersons
Labour Law Reform Coalition