SUBANG: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has reassured that public transportation fees will not be affected by the minimum wage hike.
He said public transportation rates were regulated by the government. Loke added that most public transport workers, including bus drivers, were already earning more than the minimum wage.
"Public transportation fares cannot be increased arbitrarily. As I mentioned, most bus drivers are currently earning RM2,000 to RM3,000.
"So, it does not have a major impact on this (the public transportation) sector. It's difficult to find drivers if you pay only RM1,700 monthly. Most bus drivers are earning between RM2,000 to RM3,000 or more monthly.
"Prasarana is paying almost RM3,000 for bus drivers," he told reporters at the International Civil Aviation Organisation Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN) 2024 opening ceremony.
On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the minimum wage will be raised from RM1,500 to RM1,700 a month, effective Feb 1, 2025, when tabling the 2025 Budget.
Loke added that there would also be no major effect of the minimum wage hike in the aviation sector as most workers in the sector were skilled and earned more than RM1,700 monthly.
"In the aviation sector, salaries are already more than RM1,700. I don't think this will have a significant impact on the aviation sector because, generally, salaries in this sector exceed the minimum wage level.
"Even now, many jobs in the aviation sector are technical, requiring skilled and trained personnel.
"I believe that in the aviation sector, the minimum salary is more than RM2,000 for most workers. Therefore, I do not see the RM1,700 wage limit having a major effect on the aviation sector," he added.