KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 — Employees in both the public and private sectors and retirees can expect higher incomes starting next year, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said today.
He said the government has outlined several key initiatives set to take place in 2024 after the Dewan Rakyat approved the Progressive Wage Policy Bill that aimed to boost the salaries of workers in both the private sector and civil service and pensions for government retirees.
“First we have passed the white paper of the progressive wage policy bill for workers in the private sector.
“So, God willing, starting in 2024, the implementation of progressive wages will increase the income for workers in the private sector,” he told reporters at the National Institute of Public Administration here.
Simultaneously, he said that the public sector is set to witness positive changes, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim indicating a comprehensive review and a prospective salary increase for public officials by 2024.
Focusing on the concerns of government retirees, Fahmi hinted at impending decisions to be announced by the chief secretary to the government or possibly the prime minister himself.
Fahmi added that next year will be important for the government to return to stimulating the economy, including through the influx of investments obtained in 2023.
Previously, Anwar said that the government would temporarily increase the salaries of approximately 1.6 million civil servants in small amounts through Budget 2024 before periodic increases every 10 years.
A progressive wage policy will be introduced to raise the salary ceiling through a starting salary guide by position and progressive annual salary increases that will reduce the salary gap.
The White Paper on the policy was tabled in Parliament on November 30.
