Follow govt’s lead in increasing salaries, Anwar tells private sector

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at his monthly meeting with staff from the Prime Minister’s Department today. (Bernama pic)

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged private companies that have recorded substantial profits to follow the government’s lead in improving employee salary schemes as announced in the 2024 Budget.

At his monthly meeting with staff from the Prime Minister’s Department, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said he had received complaints from private sector workers claiming that their wages had not increased even though their employers have reported strong earnings.

“I also request the private sector to (review their wage rates) because some (employees) have complained that (their) companies make RM400 million a year in profit, but their wages remain stagnant.

“So, I hope that this signal given by the government to recognise civil servants is also taken up by the private sector, especially those who report good profits.

“Provide a reasonable wage increase in the current circumstances,” he said.

He was referring to the government’s decision to review the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) and provide an incentive of RM2,000 to civil servants in Grade 56 and below, as announced in the 2024 Budget last Friday.

Anwar acknowledged that his announcement regarding the incentive came as a surprise to even the highest levels of civil service, including chief secretary to the government Zuki Ali.

“No one considered this possible given the current financial constraints of the government, and even the finance ministry did not propose such an amount,” he said.

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