KUALA LUMPUR: Employers should pay graduates salaries commensurate with their qualifications and not just based on the minimum wage, says Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Commenting on the increased RM1,700 minimum wage and its impact, Johari, the Plantation and Commodities Minister, said he did not foresee a major issue.
"Most workers in various sectors already earn more than RM1,700," he told reporters after a community event in Titiwangsa.
"Even in the plantation sector, most of our local workers earn more than RM1,700."
He said companies should not take advantage of workers and pay degree holders the minimum wage.
"Give them more, they have a degree."
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the minimum wage would be raised from RM1,500 a month to RM1,700 a month from Feb 1.
Employers with fewer than five workers have until Aug 1 to comply.
"We have to accept the reality that living costs have increased and there are things the government can take care of," said Johari.
"However, we also ask employers to cooperate, we know it can be tough but we have to adjust."
Johari said if wages were not raised it could lead to bigger problems, including a shortage of local workers who do not want to work because they feel the salaries are too low.
"But overall, many big and medium-sized companies are already paying above RM1,700, so there is no problem."
Earlier, Johari, the Titiwangsa member of Parliament launched a programme to help some 200 youths in the constituency obtain their B2 motorcycle licenses.