NEW MINIMUM WAGE IN AUGUST
A meeting to review it will be held on June 13, says human resources minister
THE minimum wage for workers in the private sector is being reviewed and the government is expected to make an announcement on the matter in August. Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran said the new minimum wage would be announced pending approval from the cabinet.
He said the National Wages Consultative Council (MPGN) would hold a meeting on June 13 to review the minimum wage and other issues.
“The Human Resources Ministry will prepare a cabinet memorandum for a decision to be made by the government,” he said after attending a gathering with his staff here yesterday.
He said the National Wages Consultative Technical Committee (JTPGN) hadcompleted its review of the minimum wage as stipulated under the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 (Act 732).
“I was informed that JTPGN is ready to present recommendations for the new minimum wage rate to MPGN, a tripartite body that will discuss and present the recommendations to the cabinet.”
On a separate matter, he said the government was ready to consider suggestions that 1.2 million housewives be given social security coverage.
However, he said the mechanism for its implementation would be studied to decide whether it was feasible.
He said the United Kingdom, for example, provided a social security net for unemployed citizens.
He also said the Human Resources Ministry would focus on resolving outstanding cases in the Industrial Court.
“We will improve the country’s social security coverage for housewives and couples, reduce our reliance on foreign workers and boost awareness on workers’ rights under
The Human Resources Ministry will prepare a cabinet memorandum for a decision to be made by the government.
M. KULASEGARAN Human Resources Minister
labour laws.
“I have instructed all agencies’ enforcement teams in this ministry to conduct checks at business premises to ensure that labour laws are adhered to.”