The minimum wage for workers in Malaysia has increased

The country's government has announced an increase in the minimum wage for workers in Malaysia. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the minimum wage in Malaysia will increase from 1,500 to 1,700 ringgit from 1 February 2025 when presenting the 2025 budget in the national parliament on Friday (Oct 18).

Malaysian government media 'Bernama' and news agency Reuters reported that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said this step has been taken to improve the quality of life of Malaysian workers. Especially to cope with the ever-increasing daily cost increases.

He said we want to improve the standard of living of the workers by increasing the minimum wage. We have made this decision considering the needs of employees and the economic viability of small businesses. Implementation of the new wage will be delayed by 6 months for small enterprises with less than 5 employees. They have to implement the minimum wage from August 1, 2025.

The Prime Minister also said the Ministry of Human Resources will issue a guideline setting the starting salary for industrial and production technicians at 2,290 ringgit, mechanical engineers at 3,380 ringgit, and professional creative content designers at 2,985 ringgit.

Earlier in 2022, then-Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yacob announced a minimum wage of 1,500 ringgit per month starting May 1.