PUTRAJAYA: The low wage structure will be “prominently”discussed in the government in the coming months, Rafizi Ramli said in reiterating Putrajaya's commitment to addressing the matter.
“We have said wages is one area we are looking at. I agree with the public and economists' view. That is also my view,” the Economy Minister told a press conference here on Monday (March 6).
"We cannot just focus on prices. It is about balancing between managing the price as well as the wages. So that we can progressively increase.
"It will certainly feature in the government’s discussions in the months ahead but ... it is not something to just casually talk about. We have to go through studies and get stakeholders' views,” he added.
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He noted that while employees may want higher wages, the views of employers must be sought too and factors such as inflation must also be taken into account.
The government is keen on addressing the situation through policies that benefit all stakeholders, he said, adding that he preferred not to make any details public until the proper process has taken place.
“I think It is enough for the public to understand that for the first time, an administration is focussing on solving the low wage structure in our economy. Before this, it was not done,” he said.
"We don't (want to) disrupt (the economy) and cause unintended consequences,” he added when asked to comment on the Employees Provident Fund’s (EPF) calls to move towards a living wage of RM2,700 and for the low wage structure to be addressed.
EPF chief executive officer Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said on Saturday (March 4) that 81% of active members in the formal sector earned RM5,000 or less a month.
Furthermore, 44% earned below RM2,000, he added.
Amir Hamzah said the low wage structure was one of the reasons for EPF members having inadequate savings.
"This is too low and we will support the initiative to push towards a living wage," he said.
