Sabah launches major labour reform with new tripartite convention
Sabah launches major labour reform with new tripartite convention
KOTA KINABALU:
Sabah marked a milestone in labour reform with the launch of the Sabah Tripartite Labour Convention 2025, officiated by State Federal Secretary Datuk Seri Rosli Isa here on Wednesday.
Rosli said the convention highlights the enforcement of the amended Sabah Labour Ordinance 2025, effective May 1, offering workers protections on par with the peninsula.
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Key changes include universal worker coverage, 98 days of maternity leave, seven days of paternity leave, and a reduced 45-hour work week.
The event also saw the launch of the eNores system for managing non-resident workers, expected to benefit over 2.1 million workers and 187,000 employers.
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A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with seven agencies, kicking off a week-long labour education convoy across six districts featuring outreach, dialogues, and enforcement initiatives.
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Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Borneo Post
Minister's visit a historic milestone for Sabah workers' union
Sim (centre) during his visit at the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Workers' Union of Sabah office recently. KOTA KINABALU (June 4): The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Workers' Union of Sabah has described the recent official visit by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong as a historic moment and a significant gesture of recognition for workers in the state. Its Secretary-General, Mohd Shahbudin Abdullah, said it was the first time a federal minister had ever visited their union office to engage directly with workers, calling the visit a landmark occasion since the union's formation. 'This visit marks a meaningful chapter for us. Never before has any minister come down to meet and listen to the voices of workers here in Sabah. It's truly an honour,' he said in a statement. Shahbudin added that the Prime Minister's title of 'Panglima Pekerja' (Champion of Workers) given to Sim was well-deserved, citing the minister's unwavering dedication towards improving the welfare of workers across the country. One of the key highlights praised by the union is the enforcement of the amended Sabah Labour Ordinance 2025, which was officially gazetted on May 1. According to Shahbudin, the amendment had been long-awaited since 2022, and its realisation is seen as a breakthrough for labour rights in the state. 'For years, we have hoped for parity with our counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia. After the first reading in July 2024, followed by the second and third readings, the amendment was passed in Parliament last December. We are thankful to the minister and the ministry for their tireless efforts in making it a reality,' he said. The union also extended appreciation to the Sabah Labour Department for its role in facilitating the legislative reform. In addition, Shahbudin welcomed the introduction of the Madani Workers' Card, which offers discounts of up to 30 per cent on various essentials, a move aimed at easing the cost of living. However, he urged the ministry to expand the range of participating vendors in Sabah to ensure the benefit is felt more widely by local workers. Touching on the issue of minimum wage, Shahbudin expressed concern over the growing frustration among long-serving employees who continue to receive salaries close to or equal to new entrants. 'The introduction of minimum wage is a good step, but the lack of salary differentiation between experienced and new workers has been demoralising for many. This has been happening for years without a concrete solution. We hope the minister will give this matter due attention,' he added. The union also conveyed its gratitude for being appointed as part of the Sabah Labour Advisory Council (SLAC), calling it a major honour and a platform to further contribute to policymaking that benefits workers. 'We believe in the leadership of the minister and are confident that his commitment will continue to bring positive change for workers, ensuring not only their wellbeing but also a more harmonious and conducive work environment,' he said.
The Star
25-05-2025
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Rosli: Landowners' opinions sought according to procedure. KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) says landowners of the 120-year-old Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, asked for its site to be zoned as 'main commercial'. Its City Planning Department senior deputy director Rosli Nordin said the ashram landowners and other landowners in the vicinity requested for the change in zoning status for the 0.4ha site. The site was recently zoned as 'main commercial' under Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 while the ashram building is classified as 'Category 1 Heritage Building' under National Heritage Act 2005. 'We obtained their opinions through procedures under Rule 7 in Planning (Development) Rules 1970,' Rosli said at a conference held in Kuala Lumpur. He was responding to session moderator Charles Tan, a member of the Save Kuala Lumpur Coalition. Tan said the area was not classified as 'main commercial' in the 2020 local plan, so the recent zoning was actually a change. The conference themed 'Moving Towards a Sustainable City' was organised by Kuala Lumpur Residents Action for Sustainable Development Association and attracted about 100 attendees. It featured three panel sessions that discussed the issues of transparency and public participation in development control processes, hill land management, and urban renewal. Another heated exchange occurred during a session discussing urban renewal. Concerns were raised about the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA), which an attendee alleged does not include homeowners and residents, and would grant too much power to the minister in charge. He also questioned the need to lower the consent threshold from 80% to 75%. In answer, Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) head of technical drafting unit Lilian Tai said URA would not grant excessive power to the minister. 'If you read through the law, the minister is not the only member of the executive committee responsible for urban renewal,' she said. She added that the government was opening up an avenue for residents to be involved in the development of URA. The attendee urged Tai and the relevant authorities to visit the 139 sites earmarked for redevelopment, to obtain residents' feedback. Tai replied that the 139 sites were only 'potential' sites for redevelopment. 'Even if the sites were already gazetted for redevelopment, the developer still needs to go through a consultation process led by the government. 'The project won't take off if it is not viable,' she explained.
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- Daily Express
System to manage non-resident workers
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Rosli (second left) officiates the launch of the eNores system. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Department of Labour (JTK) has introduced a new system called the Integrated Non-Resident Employment Management System (eNORES), which will provide a comprehensive solution for managing the employment of non-resident workers in the State. The launch of eNORES took place in conjunction with the Sabah Tripartite Labour Convention, involving 400 participants, on Wednesday. Advertisement Sabah JTK Director Wan Zulkifli Wan Setapa said the system is expected to have a significant impact on more than 187,000 employers and workers in Sabah, including those working illegally or without proper documentation. 'The eNORES system covers 12 core modules encompassing the entire process of worker management from recruitment and employment to repatriation,' he said. According to him, the launch of this system is a major step in ensuring more organized and effective management of foreign workers in the State. 'This system will also provide an opportunity for employers and workers to interact on a more structured and efficient platform,' Wan Zulkifli said. Alongside the launch of eNORES, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between JTK Sabah and seven regulatory agencies involved in the management of non-resident workers. Among the participating agencies were the Immigration Department of Malaysia, Sabah Department of Agriculture, and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). Wan Zulkifli further commenting, this MoU allows all regulatory agencies to access relevant data from the system, enabling them to plan and implement more effective policies and decisions regarding the management of foreign workers in the State. The signing of the MoU was witnessed by the Director-General of the National Digital Department (JDN) under the Ministry of Digital Malaysia, Datuk Dr Fazidah Abu Bakar. In related developments, he said JTK Sabah also announced data-sharing partnerships through system integration with several parties such as SOCSO (MyFutureJobs), the Companies Commission of Malaysia (MySSM), and the Ministry of Home Affairs (NIISe). 'Through the system, we can ensure that over 2.1 million workers in the State, including undocumented workers, receive better benefits and protection,' he added. He also emphasised this data-sharing initiative aims to enhance transparency and effectiveness in managing non-resident workers in the State. 'It is expected to greatly benefit various stakeholders, including employers and workers, while ensuring that Sabah continues to progress in workforce management, especially in the rapidly advancing digital era,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
