The government will decide on the implementation of the minimum wage scheme, especially in the industrial sector, after a study

on its effects is completed, Human Resource Minister Dr S Subramaniam said today.

NONE Currently, he said, the ministry was considering the views on the various implications that might arise with the implementation of the scheme.

"We are still studying and getting views from various aspects on how to deal with the issue.

"The study is crucial because we have to take into account the effects and implications of its implementation," he told reporters at the presentation of spectacles which were contributed by the Ipoh Barat MIC to 200 poor students in Ipoh.

However, Subramaniam said the government was aware of the low wage among workers in the private sector, which had not been increased for the past 10 to 15 years.

Meanwhile, on complaints of shortage of workers by vegetable farmers in Cameron Highlands following the government's freeze on recruitment of foreign workers, he said the problem should not arise.

The reason being that foreigners were still allowed to work in the agriculture, plantation, manufacturing and certain service sectors, he added.

- Bernama