Malaysia's umbrella trade-union body is pressing ahead with its campaign for a minimum wage despite the government's stand that such a benchmark would put off foreign investors seeking a low-cost environment.

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has stepped up its eight-year-long campaign, which would mainly benefit private-sector workers, after the government awarded hefty pay raises to civil servants in May that in effect lifted junior-ranking staff above the official poverty line.

The general council of the MTUC, a federation of unions representing all major industries and sectors with a total of about 500,000 members, is due to meet on Thursday to discuss its next move.