Starting next month, Miri coffee shops will begin paying their tea servers a minimum monthly salary of RM1,700 under the newly implemented national wage policy. Coffee shop owner voiced concern over the rising burden, stating that hiring a tea server now starts at RM1,700. This comes amid ongoing labor shortages and increased pressure from the Sales and Services Tax (SST), further straining small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
In response to the wage hike and expanded tax policies, many business owners are taking a cautious stance. While awaiting further clarity, they are making internal adjustments and preparing operational changes to absorb the financial impact. Quiet price increases, particularly in beverages, may soon follow as part of the coping strategy to remain sustainable.
The nationwide enforcement of the RM1,700 minimum wage beginning August 1 has placed the local food and beverage (F&B) sector, especially small businesses, under significant pressure. Employers are expected to incur at least an additional RM400 per worker monthly. However, the larger issue remains the scarcity of reliable local labor and the high turnover rate, which continues to affect hiring confidence.
