He said the government has provided some leeway by deferring the implementation date for some economic sectors.

However, as the prime minister had announced May 1 as the day for national implementation of the minimum wage, “so rain or shine, we will continue with this”, he said.

“What is important is that it is not based on my wishes, but we follow the act (the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011) where the minimum wage must be reviewed every two years,” he said.

Some employers and trade associations have urged the government to reconsider implementation of the new minimum wage.

Saravanan said a few parties were willing to take advantage of the flexibility given by the government. He admitted that it was difficult to please everyone, especially employers.

He was at the Socso office for the signing of an agreement with MyQaseh Sdn Bhd to establish cooperation in providing job placement services for the homeless.

He said a Zero Homelessness Initiative was in line with the government’s intention to create 300,000 jobs this year, thus addressing the issue of homelessness in Malaysia.

He said a total of 100 homeless people had gained from job placements last year and there was a need to streamline the coordination of assistance so that the homeless problem could be resolved.