PM: Pay employees a minimum of RM1,500 monthly

KUALA LUMPUR: All companies in the private sector should pay a minimum monthly salary of RM1,500 to their employees, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“Realising the challenges faced with the increasing cost of living, the government has ensured all public servants receive a salary and allowance amounting to at least RM1,500 monthly.

“Similarly, we urge companies in the private sector to do the same as a means to help especially those from low-income groups,” he said when launching the Government-Linked Companies (GLC) Open Day 2022 yesterday.

He also called on both GLC and government-linked investment companies (GLIC) to pay at least RM1,500 to their permanent staff while encouraging other corporate entities to do the same.

At present, the minimum wage in 57 cities and towns across the country is set at RM1,200 a month, and RM1,100 for areas not considered part of cities and towns.

Driving the economy forward: Ismail Sabri (left) launching the GLC Open Day 2022 in Kuala Lumpur, accompanied by Zafrul. — ART CHEN/The Star

This RM1,200 rate was fixed on Feb 1, 2020.

On a separate note, Ismail Sabri said all listed GLC must have at least a 30% participation of women in their board of directors come their annual general meeting next year, adding that this was in line with best practices globally.

“We need to continuously recognise the role women play as leaders and important contributors to the advancement of socioeconomics and prosperity of the country.

“This is also aligned with the announcement by the government in Budget 2022 that all listed companies must have at least one female director before June 1, 2023,” he added.

Ismail Sabri similarly noted that all GLC were suggested to have medium-term goals to realise the nation’s objective in the 12th Malaysia Plan to become a carbon -neutral nation by 2050.

GLC were also one of the main drivers in the success of various government initiatives through Budget 2022, such as JaminKerja Keluarga Malaysia worth RM4.8bil and SemarakNiaga Keluarga Malaysia worth RM40bil, he added.