The government is certain that the minimum wage scheme in the private sector will only have a slight negative impact on the public if it is implemented, said Human Resource Minister Dr S Subramaniam.

He said the study carried out by the ministry revealed that although there might be a slight indirect effect, it would not become a major issue such as an increase in the prices of essential goods.

“We have carried out a study and found that although there was a slight and indirect impact, it would not become a major issue because the public will enjoy more benefits from the implementation of the salary scheme compared to the other problems faced,” he told reporters after officially opening a seminar titled ‘The role of Trade Unions in Turning Malaysia into a High Income Nation’ in Ipoh today.

Preliminary studies on the implementation of the minimum salary scheme had been carried out and his ministry was making preparation to present it to the cabinet for approval before being tabled in Parliament shortly, he said.

- Bernama