Budget 2027 proposes increasing the minimum wage from RM1,700 to RM2,000 a month. This would be an increase of RM300 per employee, or approximately 17.6%.
The proposal also provides an adjustment period for micro and small enterprises (MKS) with sales revenue below RM50 million, which would be exempt from this increase. However, exemption from the proposed increase does not exempt an employer from complying with the existing RM1,700 minimum wage requirement.
What Could the Increase Mean for Employers?
For a business with 20 employees currently earning RM1,700 each, increasing their wages to RM2,000 would mean an additional RM300 per employee:
- Monthly increase: 20 employees × RM300 = RM6,000
- Annual increase: RM6,000 × 12 = RM72,000
This calculation does not include any corresponding increase in employer contributions to EPF, SOCSO, EIS or other related employment costs.
The proposed increase is also a reminder that businesses cannot rely indefinitely on low wages to remain competitive. Employers may need to review their processes, consider investment in automation, provide employee training, and reassess pricing, productivity and their business models.
The adjustment period is an opportunity for businesses to plan ahead—not simply to delay action. Employees may see an additional RM300 a month, while employers need to consider the increase together with related employment costs. A key question for businesses is how to enable each employee to contribute greater value.
CCS | Beyond Numbers
Budget 2027：最低薪金拟提高至RM2,000，企业应如何应对？
《2027年财政预算案》提出将最低薪金从每月RM1,700提高至RM2,000，每名员工每月增加RM300，涨幅约为17.6%。
提案同时为销售收入低于RM5,000万的微型及小型企业（MKS）提供调整空间，这类企业可获豁免适用本次调高措施。不过，获豁免于拟议的调薪措施，并不代表雇主可以不遵守现行每月RM1,700的最低薪金规定。
调高最低薪金对雇主的影响
假设一家企业有20名员工，目前每人月薪为RM1,700，若全部调整至RM2,000，每名员工每月将增加RM300的薪资成本：
- 每月增加：20名员工 × RM300 = RM6,000
- 每年增加：RM6,000 × 12 = RM72,000
上述计算尚未包括雇主EPF、SOCSO、EIS等相关供款或其他雇佣成本可能产生的增幅。
拟议的最低薪金调整也提醒企业，不能长期依靠低薪维持竞争力。雇主可能需要改善流程、考虑投资自动化、加强员工培训，并重新检视定价、生产效率及商业模式。
调整期是企业提前规划的机会，而不只是延后采取行动。员工看到的是每月增加RM300；雇主则需要将薪资增幅与相关雇佣成本一并考虑。企业更应思考的，是如何让每位员工创造更高的价值。
CCS | Beyond Numbers
