PUTRAJAYA (Oct 10): More than four million workers will benefit from the increase in the minimum wage from RM1,700 to RM2,000 per month beginning June 2027.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan said micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with annual sales below RM50 million are exempted to allow them time to adjust their business models.
He said the government also introduced a minimum wage of RM2,500 per month for semi-skilled jobs and new graduates, with the implementation mechanism to be detailed by the Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) in the near future.
For gig workers, he said a RM160 million joint financing package by the government and Grab would support improvements in net earnings and the welfare of e-hailing and p-hailing workers beginning in 2027.
“Median net earnings for e-hailing drivers are expected to increase by up to RM227 per month, while p-hailing delivery riders’ earnings are expected to rise by up to RM100 per month.
“The Gig Consultative Council is negotiating minimum income rates, an income formula and minimum social protection standards for gig workers, with the details expected to be finalised in early 2027,” he said in a statement Saturday.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced several initiatives when tabling Budget 2027 on Friday (Oct 9), including the minimum wage increase, measures to improve gig workers’ welfare and training opportunities tailored to industry needs.
On skills development, Ramanan said RM8 billion has been allocated for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) across ministries, while HRD Corp, with RM3 billion in levy funds, would support three million training opportunities.
The Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) has also allocated RM500 million to fund the training of trainees at registered public and private skills training institutions, while more than RM40 million through HRD Corp has been allocated to train 8,000 Malaysians in the elderly care sector.
Ramanan said Kesuma would also ensure that improvements in workers’ incomes are supported by relevant skills and better social protection, in line with industry needs and technological changes.
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