Minimum wage, just do it!

File pic shows a worker harvesting oil palm fruits

EVER since the Human Resources Minister was quoted as saying that Malaysia is mulling the idea of raising the minimum wage from the current level of RM1,200 to “around RM1,500 and below” and to be implemented by the year-end, stakeholders have been out with guns blazing either in support or in opposition of the 25% jump in minimum wages.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), minimum wages are the minimum amount of salary that an employer is required to pay employees for the work performed during a given period and cannot be reduced by a collective agreement or an individual contract.