ONLY 27.3% of government-linked companies (GLCs) in Selangor are ready to offer their employees a minimum living wage of RM3,100.
State human resources and poverty eradication committee chairman V. Papparaidu said data from Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) subsidiaries and related entities showed that 59.1% of Selangor GLCs were not yet ready to implement the benchmark, while the remaining 13.6% were still evaluating its feasibility.
However, Papparaidu said the state government remained committed to ensuring workers earn wages that were fair, competitive and aligned with rising living costs as well as national wage policies.
“Wages in Selangor have been fully adjusted to match the federal minimum wage of RM1,700 per month.
“The state government is also open to adopting the Progressive Wage Policy and the minimum living wage of RM3,100 for GLCs and government-linked investment companies (GLIC) to protect employees’ well-being,” he said during the Selangor State Assembly sitting at Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor in Shah Alam yesterday.
He was responding to Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (PN-Hulu Kelang) regarding Selangor’s minimum living wage policy and the readiness of state GLCs to support the scheme.
A living wage of RM3,100 reflects the income needed for a reasonable standard of living, while the minimum wage is the legal minimum employers must pay.
This benchmark is reviewed annually based on changes in the cost of living,
Mohamed Azmin said 34 national GLCs and GLICs had implemented the minimum living wage, benefiting 153,000 employees.
The Opposition leader added that although Selangor’s gross domestic product grew by 6% annually from 2022 to 2024, residents’ wages had only increased by 3.7% per year over the same period.
“This means the people did not benefit from the state’s wealth.
“How does the state government plan to address this?” he asked.
Acknowledging the issue, Papparaidu said the state government would look into a policy to help increase workers’ wages.
“GLCs and companies based in Selangor should also look into this issue to help their workers live with dignity,” he added.
