---
title: "‘RM3,100 Is Needed’ — MTUC Urges M’sian Govt To Raise Minimum Wage In Budget 2027"
url: https://weirdkaya.com/rm3100-is-needed-mtuc-urges-msian-govt-to-raise-minimum-wage-in-budget-2027/
date: 2026-10-08
modified: 2026-10-08
lang: en
author: "Yu Ang Tan"
description: "The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has renewed calls for the government to raise Malaysia’s minimum wage to RM3,100 a month under Budget 2027. MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said..."
categories:
  - "Society"
tags:
  - "Budget 2027"
  - "Malaysia"
  - "minimum wage"
  - "MTUC"
image: https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/%E2%80%98RM3100-Is-Needed-%E2%80%94-MTUC-Urges-Msian-Govt-To-Raise-Minimum-Wage-In-Budget-2027.png
word_count: 385
---

# ‘RM3,100 Is Needed’ — MTUC Urges M’sian Govt To Raise Minimum Wage In Budget 2027

## TL: DR

- **MTUC urges Putrajaya:** The Malaysian Trades Union Congress calls on the government to raise Malaysia's monthly minimum wage from RM1,700 to RM3,100 under Budget 2027.
- **Employer groups push back:** The Malaysian Employers Federation and Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers warn that an 82.4% wage increase is difficult for SMEs to absorb.
- **Cabinet decision pending:** Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan states the government is reviewing the RM1,700 rate ahead of Budget 2027 on Oct 9.

**The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has renewed calls for the government to raise Malaysia’s minimum wage to RM3,100 a month under Budget 2027.**

MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor [said the proposed figure would serve as a more realistic “living wage” benchmark](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/27/mtuc-wants-rm3-100-minimum-wage-in-2027-budget?utm_source=chatgpt.com), especially as workers continue to face higher costs for food, housing, transport and other basic necessities. 

![Kamarul Baharin Mansor](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/268466_Kamarul-Baharin-Mansor.png)Kamarul Baharin Mansor.

## Says RM1,700 is no longer enough

Malaysia’s current minimum wage stands at RM1,700, which took effect in February 2025.

Kamarul [said the wage floor ](https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/08/minimum-wage-debate-what-workers-want-what-employers-say-and-what-comes-next/238080?utm_source=chatgpt.com)is due for another review by 2027 under the National Wages Consultative Council Act, which requires the rate to be reviewed at least once every two years. 

![Working M](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/traffic-jam-in-kl.png)Photo by WeirdKaya. For illustration purposes only.

He argued that delaying a new rate could put even more pressure on lower-income workers as living costs continue to rise.

MTUC also criticised situations where some workers remain on RM1,700 despite having years of experience, saying Malaysia needs a clearer salary progression structure instead of leaving long-serving workers stuck at the minimum rate. 

## Wants GLCs and GLICs to lead the way

MTUC also said government-linked companies and government-linked investment companies should set the example by offering better pay before the private sector is pushed to follow.

Kamarul said workers who help large companies generate strong profits should receive a fairer share of the benefits. 

![Pavilion Kuala Lumpur_People_Malaysians_Busy KL (2)](https://cdn.weirdkaya.com/media/Pavilion-Kuala-Lumpur_People_Malaysians_Busy-KL-2.jpg)Photo by WeirdKaya. For illustration purposes only.

**The government has already set RM3,100 as a living-wage benchmark for GLC and GLIC workers, which has added momentum to calls for the same figure to be considered more broadly.**

## Employers push back

Not everyone agrees with the proposal.

The [Malaysian Employers Federation and Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers ](https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/02/rm3-100-glc-wage-no-basis-for-national-minimum-say-employers?utm_source=chatgpt.com)have warned that raising the minimum wage from RM1,700 to RM3,100 would amount to an 82.4% increase, which could be difficult for SMEs and smaller businesses to absorb. 

Employer groups said higher wages should also take into account productivity, business affordability, inflation and competitiveness.

## Govt has yet to decide

For now, no new minimum wage has been confirmed.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan previously said the government is reviewing whether the current RM1,700 rate should be maintained or increased, but any change would require Cabinet approval.

**With Budget 2027 set to be tabled on Oct 9, attention is now on whether Putrajaya will announce any changes to Malaysia’s minimum wage.**