Sarawak's Industrial Harmony Index rises to 81.5 pct this year, nearing national benchmark
KUCHING (July 30): Sarawak has seen an improvement in its Industrial Harmony Index (IHI), which rose to 81.5 per cent this year from the 79.3 per cent in 2022.
Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said the index indicated good relations between employers and employees driven by mutual respect and dispute resolution through collaboration.
'This shows the reality of harmonious industrial relations and labour scenarios in Sarawak,' he said when officiating the Sarawak Industrial Harmony Programme 2025 at a hotel here today.
He was also confident that Sarawak could meet or exceed the national benchmark of 83 per cent. I have high hopes and believe our workers and companies will take the necessary steps to further improve performance.'
Themed 'Sustaining Industrial Harmony through Legal Empowerment', the programme is part of the National Industrial Harmony Action Plan (Petik) and has entered its fourth year since its introduction in 2022.
Organised by the Sarawak Industrial Relations Department (JPP), it aims to expose stakeholders to the Industrial Relations Act 1967 and to the practices of harmonious industrial relations that should be upheld in workplaces.
'Through this programme, participants also have the opportunity to share their experiences on challenges in human resource management within the legal framework, specifically under the Industrial Relations Act 1967,' he said.
This year's seminar saw the participation of 250 attendees, including employers, workers, trade unions, training providers and academics.
Gerawat noted that Sarawak is on track to meet the national IHI benchmark of 83 per cent, and urged more companies to participate in the IHI Self-Assessment (IHI SA) via the Industrial Relations Information System (IRIS) provided by the Department of Industrial Relations (JPPM).
He also congratulated TM Technology Services Sdn Bhd for being crowned national champion in the Large Company Category of the Harmonious Company Award 2025, calling it a proud achievement for Sarawak.
In line with efforts to enhance labour-management cooperation, Gerawat also called on more employers to adopt the Productivity-Linked Wage System (PLWS), noting that companies eligible under the IHI SA are entitled to receive the Harmonious Company Rating Certificate (SPSH).
He said Sarawak is expected to have a workforce of 1.5 million by 2030, and it is hoped programmes like this will benefit industry players as industrial harmony is essential to ensuring the nation's and state's industries remain competitive on a global scale.
Also present were Department of Industrial Relations Malaysia (JPPM) deputy director-general Aminuddin Ab Rahaman, Immigration and Labour Management Unit director Richard Lon, and Sarawak Labour Department director Awang Raduan Awang Omar. gerawat gala Industrial Harmony Index
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(From left) Lon, Aminuddin, Gerawat and Awang Raduan launch the Sarawak Industrial Harmony Programme 2025. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 30): Sarawak has seen an improvement in its Industrial Harmony Index (IHI), which rose to 81.5 per cent this year from the 79.3 per cent in 2022. Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said the index indicated good relations between employers and employees driven by mutual respect and dispute resolution through collaboration. 'This shows the reality of harmonious industrial relations and labour scenarios in Sarawak,' he said when officiating the Sarawak Industrial Harmony Programme 2025 at a hotel here today. He was also confident that Sarawak could meet or exceed the national benchmark of 83 per cent. I have high hopes and believe our workers and companies will take the necessary steps to further improve performance.' Themed 'Sustaining Industrial Harmony through Legal Empowerment', the programme is part of the National Industrial Harmony Action Plan (Petik) and has entered its fourth year since its introduction in 2022. Organised by the Sarawak Industrial Relations Department (JPP), it aims to expose stakeholders to the Industrial Relations Act 1967 and to the practices of harmonious industrial relations that should be upheld in workplaces. 'Through this programme, participants also have the opportunity to share their experiences on challenges in human resource management within the legal framework, specifically under the Industrial Relations Act 1967,' he said. This year's seminar saw the participation of 250 attendees, including employers, workers, trade unions, training providers and academics. Gerawat noted that Sarawak is on track to meet the national IHI benchmark of 83 per cent, and urged more companies to participate in the IHI Self-Assessment (IHI SA) via the Industrial Relations Information System (IRIS) provided by the Department of Industrial Relations (JPPM). He also congratulated TM Technology Services Sdn Bhd for being crowned national champion in the Large Company Category of the Harmonious Company Award 2025, calling it a proud achievement for Sarawak. In line with efforts to enhance labour-management cooperation, Gerawat also called on more employers to adopt the Productivity-Linked Wage System (PLWS), noting that companies eligible under the IHI SA are entitled to receive the Harmonious Company Rating Certificate (SPSH). He said Sarawak is expected to have a workforce of 1.5 million by 2030, and it is hoped programmes like this will benefit industry players as industrial harmony is essential to ensuring the nation's and state's industries remain competitive on a global scale. Also present were Department of Industrial Relations Malaysia (JPPM) deputy director-general Aminuddin Ab Rahaman, Immigration and Labour Management Unit director Richard Lon, and Sarawak Labour Department director Awang Raduan Awang Omar. gerawat gala Industrial Harmony Index
