KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on employers to be more considerate and compassionate in ensuring the welfare of workers continues to be protected.

He said peace and rapid national development must be matched by guarantees of well-being for all segments of society, including workers.

“This country must be peaceful and continue to develop and progress, but at the same time, we must ensure that workers’ welfare is protected. That is the priority,” he said at the national-level 2026 Workers’ Day celebration here today.

The Prime Minister said the country’s current economic performance is commendable, including strong growth, record-high investments, low unemployment, and a robust ringgit performance in Asia.

However, he raised the question of whether workers, particularly those in the lower and middle-income groups, are receiving fair benefits from these developments.

“We can list major companies in our country which record profits of RM1 billion or RM2 billion, yet still find it difficult to approve even a RM40 salary increase to workers. We want workers to be disciplined and highly productive, that is the responsibility of workers at all levels.

“We want this country to be clean, and so refuse collectors and cleaners make sacrifices. Can we take a moment to reflect, search our conscience, and ask whether these people are receiving the attention and fairness they deserve?” he said.

He therefore urged all corporate leaders to reflect and reassess the treatment of their employees.

“I am not suggesting that rewards be given to the extent that companies incur losses, I have never proposed that, nor am I suggesting that we lose competitiveness. I am only suggesting that national and corporate leaders be more attentive and show greater compassion,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the Workers’ Day celebration, Anwar said it serves as a platform for all parties to reflect on the importance of recognising workers and strengthening efforts to improve their welfare.

“Workers’ Day must remind us that without the people, farmers and fishermen, there would be no ministers. Without lower-level workers, there would be no companies to celebrate success,” he said.

He stressed that the Madani Government will place special emphasis on the issue of workers’ wages as a key policy priority.

Anwar said this effort will continue, even though the government has previously increased the minimum wage from RM1,200 to RM1,500, and raised the minimum wage for government-linked companies (GLCs) to RM3,000.

The national-level Workers’ Day celebration was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and other Cabinet members.

Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, senior government officials, as well as representatives of workers’ unions and employers. — Bernama

Oxfam Hong Kong is to raise the city’s living wage to HK$64 per hour from October 1.

Originating in the UK as a global movement in 2011, the living wage refers to a wage that allows employees and their families to meet basic needs and enables them to live a decent life. This includes being able to afford a balanced diet, a reasonable living space, a social life, education, health care, and to save for an emergency.

The rise from the current HK$62.8 per hour was based on analysis of Hong Kong’s wage levels and the latest Composite Consumer Price Index, the anti-poverty NGO said in a message to signatories on Monday.

Oxfam Hong Kong said it “adopted this wage level to advocate for the Government and the corporate sector to pay a Living Wage. We also call on the Government to introduce its own Living Wage benchmark and encourage listed companies to disclose, through ESG reporting, whether they pay a Living Wage to their employees.”

Legal min. wage set to rise by HK$1

The Census and Statistics Department’s 2025 Report on Annual Earnings and Hours Survey indicates that over 19 per cent of the workforce – around 707,300 employees – earn less than HK$62.8 per hour. Most work in elementary positions, as well as service, sales, manufacturing, retail, food and beverage sectors.

Hong Kong’s legal minimum hourly wage – set by the authorities – is set to rise by HK$1 next month to HK$43.10. Migrant domestic workers are exempt, with their wage set at a legal minimum of HK$5,100 per month plus a food allowance. By law, they must live with their employers.

Oxfam recognises employers who pay a living wage, awarding them with the “Living Wage Employer Logo” to recognise their commitment. HKFP is among the signatories to the scheme.