The government is proposing to increase the minimum wage for employees at major cities to RM1,200 next year, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced today.

This would be an increase of RM100 from the current minimum wage for workers in the private sector nationwide.

During the tabling of the government's Budget 2020 at Parliament, Lim said the decision was made after taking into consideration the rising cost of living at major cities.

"Pakatan Harapan government is committed to improving the livelihood of the rakyat, especially those who earn a meagre income.

"In Jan 2019, the government increased the minimum wage to RM1,100 a month.

"Thus, to balance the needs of employees and employers, and taking into consideration the rising cost of living at major cities, the government is suggesting for the minimum wage to be increased to RM1,200 a month only at major cities, taking effect in 2020," Lim announced.

Last year, during the tabling of Budget 2019, the government announced the increase of minimum wage from RM1,000 to RM1,100 for workers nationwide.