PUTRAJAYA: The Human Resources Ministry will introduce guidelines on starting salaries for graduates and semi-skilled workers by June 2027, following the government's announcement of a proposed RM2,500 minimum starting salary under the 2027 Budget.
Its minister, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, said the guidelines would provide employers and workers with a comprehensive reference on starting basic salaries based on occupations, educational qualifications and skills.
He said the ministry was preparing the Starting Basic Salary Guidelines based on the Malaysia Standard Classification of Occupations (Masco).
The guidelines are expected to be published and implemented alongside the new Minimum Wages Order in June next year.
For graduate-level occupations, Ramanan said the proposed salary benchmarks would cover Masco categories one to three.
These include degree and diploma holders, as well as those with Malaysian Advanced Skills Diplomas at Level 5, Malaysian Skills Diplomas at Level 4 and Malaysian Skills Certificates at Level 3.
For semi-skilled occupations, the ministry would align the framework with the Skills-Based Starting Salary Guidelines, including those covering Malaysian Skills Certificate holders at Levels 1 and 2.
This would expand the starting salary framework to cover Masco categories one to eight.
Ramanan said the proposed benchmarks for Masco categories one to three were developed using findings from graduate studies and engagement sessions with stakeholders.
The framework would also incorporate starting salary benchmarks under the Progressive Wage Policy for Masco categories four to eight.
He said the recommended salary rates would be updated regularly using the latest labour market data from the Statistics Department.
The information would be published on the e-Masco portal to give employers and workers access to current salary benchmarks.
Ramanan said the guidelines were intended to ensure that starting salaries better reflected workers' qualifications, skills and prevailing labour market conditions.
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