Page 285 - e-KLIPING KETENAGAKERJAAN 9 SEPTEMBER 2020

Wage subsidy may continue into next year, minister says Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah said
the government sought to spur household consumption and accelerate the country's economic
growth.

"This wage subsidy is expected to increase workers' purchasing power and consumption, which
in turn will have a multiplier effect on economic growth and people's welfare," Ida said in a
statement on Monday.

She added that the government wished to protect workers' welfare, which had been greatly
affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ida advised recipients to use the aid to purchase products from Small and Medium Enterprises
[SMEs].

"The aid can be used for primary or secondary needs. However, it's better to use the funds to
purchase SME products, so they can boost local industry," she said.

Ida said the ministry would monitor the disbursement of the aid closely and evaluate the process
to ensure better distribution in the future.

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