New Minimum Wage Order Brings Much-needed Relief To Workers

MELAKA, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- The implementation of the new minimum wage order, which took effect yesterday, has brought relief to workers receiving salary increases, helping to ease the burden of rising living costs.

Ahmad Subari Ismail, 25, a production operator from Bukit Katil, said the new wage order had motivated him to remain dedicated after five years of working at a food factory in Ayer Keroh.

The father of two said that with the new minimum wage, he no longer needed to rely on overtime to cover his family’s monthly expenses.

“Alhamdulillah, I’m happy and thankful that the government has implemented the minimum wage order…this will definitely benefit many workers, especially in the manufacturing sector.

“Things aren’t the same now; we can’t rely on overtime anymore as employers have significantly reduced overtime allocations,” he told Bernama today.

J. Rajanathan, 44, a worker in the cleaning sector from Bukit Rambai, said that the implementation of the minimum wage had provided him with some relief, as the salary increase would help cover the rising cost of essential goods.

“I’m happy... my previous salary was less than RM1,500. With the new salary going up to RM1,700, that’s an extra RM200, which will help cover my grocery expenses,” said Rajanathan, who provides for his wife and his bedridden mother.

Meanwhile, in the retail sector, Noor Azmin Talib, 33, said that the new wage order demonstrated the government’s commitment to improving the economic status of lower-income workers, especially in light of the rising cost of living.

“I’m not married yet, but I do have high monthly commitments and rarely get to save. However, if my salary increases, I’ll save that extra money for emergencies,” said Noor Azmin, who lives in Bukit Baru.

Yesterday, it was reported that a total of 4.37 million workers in Malaysia would receive a minimum monthly wage of RM1,700, up from RM1,500, following the official implementation of the minimum wage order.

The wage increase applies to employers with five or more workers and professional sector employers, regardless of workforce size.

However, for businesses with fewer than five employees, the new rate will take effect on Aug 1, allowing time for necessary adjustments in wage structures and operations.

-- BERNAMA