KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 — Approximately 32,000 workers have enjoyed salary increases of up to 16 per cent through the Progressive Wage Policy (PWP) initiative as of November, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.
The workers were employed by about 3,000 employers who have implemented the PWP since its pilot introduction in June this year, with RM34 million in incentives channelled to date.
“All these workers have received salary increases and are also required to meet the minimum training requirement of 21 hours a year or undergo the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as part of the criteria to qualify for the incentive payment,” he said during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Sim was responding to Kubang Pasu MP Datuk Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail's query on the PWP's progress and achievements so far.
He added that the PWP has succeeded in raising the median starting wage by RM300, or 16 per cent, to RM2,200 from RM1,900, while workers employed for more than 12 months saw their minimum wage rise by 13 per cent, or RM290, to RM2,490 from RM2,200.
As of this month, nearly 6,000 employers have opened accounts in the Progressive Wage system, of which almost 4,000 have submitted applications to participate in the initiative.
In another development, Sim said the maximum number of patients that can be accommodated at all Social Security Organisation (Socso) rehabilitation centres is 1,630, comprising 500 in Melaka, 800 in Perak, and 330 in Terengganu.
The rehabilitation centre in Meru, Perak, which began phased operations on July 22, has treated 232 patients so far.
Ahead of the centre’s full operation next year, Socso is prepared to ensure the rehabilitation services can meet the rising demand among workers, especially following the recent Dewan Rakyat approval of the Lindung 24/7 protection scheme.
He was responding to Ipoh Timor MP Lee Chuan How's query about the operational status of Socso's Rehabilitation Centre in Meru and the agency's plans to ensure rehabilitation services meet workers’ needs after the protection scheme is implemented.
On Tuesday (December 2), the Dewan Rakyat passed the Employees’ Social Security (Amendment) Bill 2025, which, among others, introduces the Lindung 24/7 protection scheme, providing round-the-clock coverage for workers, including outside working hours, benefiting nearly 10 million formal-sector workers nationwide.
