KUCHING: The business community in general is supportive of the review of the minimum wage to increase to RM1,500, but feel that it is not the right time to implement it yet.
Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) secretary-general Datuk Jonathan Chai said that, “Just not now.”
“Practical issues like the timing and margin of revision should be carefully considered and well thought out to ensure the survival and sustainability of the businesses in this challenging environment,” he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted on the implementation of the new minimum wage of RM1,500 effective May 1 nationwide.
He therefore expressed regret that the government has not responded to the outcry of the business community by making some last minute adjustments to the revised minimum wage.
“We have hoped for a deferment of implementation or the revision of the quantum could be done progressively over the next two to three years but such hope was dashed following the publication of the revised minimum wage in the gazette on April 27.
“I guess nothing much could be done now, but I need to say that the outcome was utterly disappointing and that stakeholders have not been adequately consulted,” he said.
Chai also said that in the midst of the recovery of the fragile economy following the rampage of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, the timing of such revision seemed too harsh on the employers.
“This especially (would affect) the small and medium enterprises in the suburban and less developed areas even though with some exemptions on the micro enterprises for a period of eight months until December 2022,” he said.
