KEPALA BATAS: Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has sparked a debate on wage issues in Malaysia, stating his views on what is good for the country. Although wage issues and policies fall under the purview of the Human Resources Ministry, V. Sivakumar, the Human Resources Minister, acknowledges Rafizi’s right to express his opinion.
In response, Sivakumar revealed that the government is currently studying the fairness of implementing the progressive wage model. This issue will be presented to the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) in August. “As the Economy Minister, Rafizi has the right to state what he believes is best for our country. We are both members of the NEAC, which provides a platform for us to discuss and find the most effective mechanism for our nation,” commented Sivakumar during a press conference following his visit to the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) in Kepala Batas.
Sivakumar’s comments came after Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) president Syed Hussain Syed Husman criticized Rafizi for focusing on progressive wage increases instead of sharing plans to spur economic growth, which is the responsibility of the Human Resources Ministry. However, Sivakumar assured that the government is exploring various salary models, including alternatives to the current minimum wage policy.
“After the presentation, we will consider our next steps. We are actively looking into the progressive wage model, but we must analyze it in a comprehensive manner,” stated Sivakumar, emphasizing the need to consider all factors before making a final decision. – Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
