DPM proposes setting minimum wage for skilled local workers at RM3,500
Paying RM3,500 to foreign skilled workers is unfair to local skilled workers, says Zahid
DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi proposes that the minimum wage for skilled Malaysian workers be set at RM3,500.
He said the current minimum wage for foreign skilled workers was RM3,500 as per Immigration regulations.
“This is unfair to Malaysian skilled workers. Why should we pay RM3,500 to foreign skilled workers when we have our own?
“Increasing the minimum wage will attract more Malaysians to work in the sectors (needing skilled workers),” he said at the launch of the TVET Malaysia Expo yesterday.
Zahid proposed the setting up of a TVET (technical and vocational education training) council to promote and empower skilled workers.
He said he hoped a memorandum on the setting up of the council would be prepared by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem and presented to the cabinet.
“We need a body that can market graduates in the industries. There is a lack of streamlining in this regard,” said Zahid, who offered himself to be the council’s chairman to ensure it ran smoothly.
“I am offering myself to chair and coordinate the TVET council as I wish to promote the development of TVET, including the push for a higher minimum wage.
“The number of skilled workers is at 28 per cent, which is lower than the 43 per cent benchmark for a developed country.”
He said the government wanted the minimum wage for skilled workers to reach RM5,000 by 2030.
He emphasised the importance of giving opportunities to experienced skilled workers to obtain paper qualifications.
“Those with experience should be given a chance to continue their studies at technical universities, be it for diplomas, degrees or higher qualifications.
“With the combination of experience and paper qualifications, skilled workers will be more recognised in the market.”
He said the council would play a role in coordinating recognition of skills, now under the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and endorsed by the Human Resources Ministry.
Present were Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
The two-day expo is expected to draw 10,000 visitors.