Kuala lumpur: A total of 32,000 workers have seen their salaries increase by up to 16 percent through the Progressive Wage Policy (PWP) initiative, as stated by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. He confirmed that these workers are employed by approximately 3,000 companies that have adopted the PWP since its pilot launch in June 2024, with RM34 million in incentives distributed so far.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, all participating workers not only received salary increases but are also required to fulfill a minimum training requirement of 21 hours annually or undergo the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to qualify for the incentive payment. This was disclosed by Sim during a session in the Dewan Rakyat, where he addressed queries from Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (PN-Kubang Pasu) regarding the PWP's progress and achievements.
Sim highlighted the PWP's success in elevating the median starting wage by RM300, or 16 percent, to RM2,200 from the previous RM1,900. Additionally, workers with over 12 months of employment experienced a minimum wage increase of 13 percent, or RM290, raising their wages to RM2,490 from RM2,200. By November, nearly 6,000 employers had registered in the Progressive Wage system, with almost 4,000 applying to join the initiative.
In a related development, Sim reported that Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) rehabilitation centres can accommodate up to 1,630 patients, with capacities split across Melaka, Perak, and Terengganu. He mentioned that the Meru, Perak centre, operational since July 22, has treated 232 patients, and PERKESO is ready to meet rising demand following the Dewan Rakyat's approval of the Lindung 24/7 protection scheme.
Sim was responding to Lee Chuan How (PH-Ipoh Timor) regarding the operational status of the Meru centre and plans to ensure rehabilitation services align with worker needs post-protection scheme implementation. The Dewan Rakyat recently passed the Employees' Social Security (Amendment) Bill 2025, introducing the Lindung 24/7 protection scheme, which offers continuous coverage for nearly 10 million formal-sector workers nationwide.