[Malaysia] Minimum wage extended to contract apprentices under amended law

On August 1 in Malaysia, the National Wages Consultative Council (Amendment) Act 2025 came into effect, extending the current minimum wage to apprenticeship contract workers, The Star reports.

The Human Resources Ministry said Minister Steven Sim had set August 1 as the commencement date for the amendments.

Its statement said, "Under the amendment, the current minimum wage now applies to apprenticeship contract workers, in line with the government’s commitment to enhancing protection and welfare for all categories of workers.” 

The ministry reportedly expressed its appreciation to employers who had already been paying the minimum wage to apprenticeship workers before the legal requirement.

It also reminded employers paying wages above the minimum rate that they are not permitted to reduce salaries to match the statutory threshold.

The ministry announced that the Minimum Wage Order 2024 also took effect on August 1, 2025, setting a minimum wage of RM1,700 per month for employers with fewer than five employees who are not engaged in professional activities classified under the Malaysian Standard Classification of Occupations 2020.

It reportedly urged employers to comply with the minimum wage laws enforced by the Peninsular Malaysia Department of Labour, Sabah Labour Department and the Sarawak Labour Department.

Employers found guilty of failing to comply will face fines of up to RM10,000 for each affected worker, the statement concluded.

Source: The Star

(Quote via original reporting)

On August 1 in Malaysia, the National Wages Consultative Council (Amendment) Act 2025 came into effect, extending the current minimum wage to apprenticeship contract workers, The Star reports.

The Human Resources Ministry said Minister Steven Sim had set August 1 as the commencement date for the amendments.

Its statement said, "Under the amendment, the current minimum wage now applies to apprenticeship contract workers, in line with the government’s commitment to enhancing protection and welfare for all categories of workers.” 

The ministry reportedly expressed its appreciation to employers who had already been paying the minimum wage to apprenticeship workers before the legal requirement.

It also reminded employers paying wages above the minimum rate that they are not permitted to reduce salaries to match the statutory threshold.

The ministry announced that the Minimum Wage Order 2024 also took effect on August 1, 2025, setting a minimum wage of RM1,700 per month for employers with fewer than five employees who are not engaged in professional activities classified under the Malaysian Standard Classification of Occupations 2020.

It reportedly urged employers to comply with the minimum wage laws enforced by the Peninsular Malaysia Department of Labour, Sabah Labour Department and the Sarawak Labour Department.

Employers found guilty of failing to comply will face fines of up to RM10,000 for each affected worker, the statement concluded.

Source: The Star

(Quote via original reporting)