In an effort to tackle the issue of low salary payments, Economic Affairs Minister Rafizi Ramli said that the government will begin publishing salary statistics in Malaysia on a quarterly basis. The first publication is expected to be made available after Hari Raya Haji.

“We are ready for the first publication, but I need to announce it to the Cabinet this week and hope it will be implemented after Hari Raya Haji,” said Rafizi during a media conference, adding that the statistics can help create a focus on existing salary issues and serve as a good benchmark for the open work market, thereby benefitting employees in general and Malaysia’s economy.

The minister also noted that the preparation of the statistics will compel the whole country, including employers, to come to a collective decision regarding salary issues. In turn, the public can observe and evaluate the government’s focus in building a comprehensive data infrastructure to better serve the people.

“Otherwise we cannot make policies based on fact, as we need information and that’s what we’re working on. We’re confident that the data infrastructure will be ready, and then we’ll talk about benchmarking. That is why we are pushing for quarterly wage statistics, otherwise the policy formation can’t catch up with the salaries changing, and that is why you see the disparity going bigger,” Rafizi commented, adding that they will strive to do it on a monthly basis in the future.

In addition to announcing the publication of salary statistics, Rafizi also provided an update on the drafting of progressive salary policies. He said that the government is still holding discussions at a ministry level, and that both the Economic Affairs Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry have been charged with helping to guide the policies’ direction.

“According to the schedule, the first presentation of the progressive salary framework is in August, and within these two months, discussions and engagement sessions will happen, and we will seek views from experts and economists,” Rafizi elaborated.

(Source: The Sun Daily)

• TAGS:
• Monthly Salaries And Wages
• Rafizi Ramli
• Salaries
• Salary Statistics