KUALA LUMPUR: The government will review the country’s minimum wage order at least once every two years, Human Resources deputy minister Datuk Seri Ismail Muttalib said on Wednesday.
He said this move is in accordance with the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 (Act 732), where the review will be conducted by the National Wages Consultative Council (MPGN).
Ismail added that the minimum wage order review will be implemented next year.
"The government conducted the minimum wage order review in 2012. After careful consideration by the MPGN, the government agreed to increase the minimum wage from RM900 monthly in the peninsula to RM1,000 monthly; and from RM800 monthly in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan to RM920 starting July 1, 2016.
"The next review will be done next year," he said when answering a question from Gerik Member of Parliament Datuk Hasbullah bin Osman at the Dewan Rakyat.
Meanwhile, to an additional question by PKR’s Kuala Langat MP Datuk Abdullah Sani who asked about employers who refused to adhere to the minimum wage order, Ismail said 317 employers have been charged in court for failing to follow the law.
He said actions were taken by his ministry through the Labour Department.
"Out of the 317, 195 cases have been resolved. It involves 607 local employees and 180 foreign workers. The department will continue to monitor employers to ensure the implementation of minimum wage is adhered to."