Sector-based likely for minimum wage
KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Human Resources is looking into introducing sector-based minimum wage to replace the standardized minimum pay of RM1,100 nationwide, said its minister M. Kulasegaran.
Under the sector-based minimum wage, Kulasegaran said employees in plantations, hotels and coffee shops for example would have different minimum pay.
He said revision studies on the sector-based minimum wage would commence very soon, adding that the legislation required the minimum wage to be reviewed every two years.
Kulasegaran said the steep increase of minimum pay from RM920 to RM1,100 in Sabah and Sarawak that took effect since January 1 this year had affected a lot of business people.
“Some businessmen are saying that they may even have to close down some of their outlets because of this,” Kulasegaran said after chairing a luncheon meeting with members of the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) Sabah branch here yesterday.
He believed that the sector-based minimum wage would be more realistic and current.
During the meeting, the minister also briefed the MEF members about a new multi-tier levy system for foreign workers and the Integrated Foreign Workers Management System (ePPAx).
He said ePPAx offered more transparency and accountability in the application for foreign workers.
He said the system also eliminated the need to meet with government officers on the number of foreign workers employers were entitled to.
On another matter, Kulasegaran said all department heads and officers, including himself and the deputy minister, would be available for the public to meet or consult every Tuesday, from 8am to 10am. He said the department heads or officers would be able to address and give an answer to unattended complaints immediately during that time.
“Sabah became the first state since two weeks ago to start this new system.”
Kulasegaran added that he had instructed all his departments to reply letters issued to the ministry within 48 hours.