Mediation saves RM60 million in workplace disputes, says HR minister
GEORGE TOWN: Mediation has proven to be a cost-effective and efficient method for resolving workplace disputes, saving employers and employees millions while fostering industrial harmony.
Human Resource Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong highlighted that 65 per cent of cases referred to the Department of Industrial Relations were successfully resolved through mediation in 2024, preventing unnecessary legal battles.
Speaking at the inaugural Industrial Mediation Symposium 2025, Sim noted that mediation handled over 3,000 cases this year, reducing the burden on the Industrial Court.
'If each court case costs RM20,000 for both parties, mediation has saved more than RM60 million in 2024 alone,' he said.
Before disputes escalate to court, the Department of Industrial Relations employs alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, primarily conciliation meetings, to settle conflicts amicably.
Currently, 122 industrial relations officers (IROs) trained in professional mediation assist workers and employers in reaching swift resolutions.
Sim emphasised the ministry's commitment to enhancing mediation expertise through partnerships with international bodies like the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and local institutions such as the Kuala Lumpur Mediation Centre and the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF).
Since 2024, collaboration with the US Department of Labour has further strengthened officers' mediation skills.
The symposium, organised by the Society of JP Community Mediators Penang (SJPCMP) alongside the JP Mediation Bureau Penang and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), aimed to promote mediation as a key tool for workplace conflict resolution.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Mediation saves RM60 million in workplace disputes, says HR minister
GEORGE TOWN: Mediation has proven to be a cost-effective and efficient method for resolving workplace disputes, saving employers and employees millions while fostering industrial harmony. Human Resource Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong highlighted that 65 per cent of cases referred to the Department of Industrial Relations were successfully resolved through mediation in 2024, preventing unnecessary legal battles. Speaking at the inaugural Industrial Mediation Symposium 2025, Sim noted that mediation handled over 3,000 cases this year, reducing the burden on the Industrial Court. 'If each court case costs RM20,000 for both parties, mediation has saved more than RM60 million in 2024 alone,' he said. Before disputes escalate to court, the Department of Industrial Relations employs alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, primarily conciliation meetings, to settle conflicts amicably. Currently, 122 industrial relations officers (IROs) trained in professional mediation assist workers and employers in reaching swift resolutions. Sim emphasised the ministry's commitment to enhancing mediation expertise through partnerships with international bodies like the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and local institutions such as the Kuala Lumpur Mediation Centre and the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF). Since 2024, collaboration with the US Department of Labour has further strengthened officers' mediation skills. The symposium, organised by the Society of JP Community Mediators Penang (SJPCMP) alongside the JP Mediation Bureau Penang and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), aimed to promote mediation as a key tool for workplace conflict resolution.
Barnama
5 hours ago
- Barnama
Mediation Key To Industrial Harmony, Cost Savings In Workplace Disputes
REGION - NORTHERN > NEWS GEORGE TOWN, June 27 (Bernama) -- Mediation, as a primary mechanism for resolving workplace disputes, helps save time and costs while preserving industrial harmony. Human Resource Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong stated that industrial relations officers (IRO) under the ministry successfully resolved 65 per cent of cases referred to the director-general of the Department of Industrial Relations annually via mediation, representing over 3,000 cases in 2024. "In other words, only 35 per cent of disputes proceeded to the Industrial Court. bootstrap slideshow "If each case appearing before the court costs both employers and employees about RM20,000, we are looking at cost savings of more than RM60 million in 2024 alone," he said in his keynote address at the inaugural Industrial Mediation Symposium 2025 held here recently. Sim added that even before cases are referred to the Industrial Court, the Department of Industrial Relations under the ministry employs alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, primarily through conciliation meetings, to settle disputes amicably. Currently, he said, 122 IROs under the ministry serve as conciliators to help workers and employers resolve conflicts swiftly and peacefully. Sim said these officers receive professional mediation training through collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) at the International Training Centre in Turin, Italy, as well as other institutions such as the Kuala Lumpur Mediation Centre and the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF). Beginning in 2024, he said, the Human Resource Ministry also partnered with the United States Department of Labour to further strengthen its officers' capacity in industrial mediation. The one-day symposium on June 21 was organised by the Society of JP Community Mediators Penang (SJPCMP), in collaboration with the JP Mediation Bureau Penang and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).
Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Daily Express
Youths urged to seize on juicy opportunity to develop pineapple industry: LPNM
Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 27, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. JOHOR BAHRU: Youths are urged to seize the golden opportunity to venture into the growing pineapple industry and become a key contributor to the country's agri-food sector. Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali said youth participation could inject fresh ideas to advance the industry and sector to greater heights. "Youth involvement can generate lucrative income for themselves and inject new ideas to elevate this industry, especially in adapting technology including the Internet of Things (IoT), mechanisation and modern approaches," he said at the 2025 Malaysian Pineapple Day celebration here today. Also present at the event was Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. Sheikh Umar also reiterated LPNM's aspiration to target an income of RM10,000 for farmers under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). He said that according to unofficial data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the pineapple industry this year is projected to yield returns of up to RM8,000 per farmer. Regarding today's programme, he shared that the Malaysian Pineapple Day celebration themed 'Our Pineapple, Our Pride' today was being held for the first time to coincide with World Pineapple Day, observed annually on June 27. He said the event aims to celebrate pineapple farmers and industry players as well as commemorate the board's existence since 1957. Therefore, he hoped that the celebration would further energise the agri-food sector which contributes to the national economy. "This tropical fruit is certainly not a staple food but it can contribute to the balance of trade of the country's food sector which currently shows imports exceeding exports," he said, stating that the event will be held biennially. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
