
MyLabourHub strengthens Malaysia's status as global leader in open data inventory assessment
PUTRAJAYA: The integrated digital analytics platform, MyLabourHub, launched today by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), will strengthen Malaysia's position as a global leader in the world's Open Data Inventory (ODIN) assessment.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said that MyLabourHub integrates institutions, data and technology to provide the latest labour market information to improve the country's score in the upcoming official Open Data Warehouse (ODW) report.
He added that the portal, fully developed by DOSM, will benefit various stakeholders, including policymakers, industry players, training institutions and the public.
'In line with the aspiration to move towards a resilient statistical system in the era of digital innovation, this portal provides relevant, accurate and easily accessible information, thus enhancing the empowerment of citizen-centric statistical service delivery that is inclusive, integrated, transparent and secure,' Uzir said in his speech at the launch of MyLabourHub today.
Additionally, MyLabourHub enables in-depth research for evidence-based policymaking by helping stakeholders understand labour market dynamics while strengthening action plans, impactful interventions and responses to economic changes.
The official ODW report, released on April 29, marked a historic achievement for Malaysia, ranking first in the ODIN 2024/25 assessment, surpassing 198 other countries with an overall score of 90 and an outstanding data openness score of 99. This represents a significant leap from its 67th position in the 2022/23 assessment.
Uzir also said that MyLabourHub offers key functionalities, including a labour market analytics platform that provides insights into employment trends, salary rates and skill requirements aligned with contemporary job markets.
He highlighted that data updates within the platform occur in three categories: monthly, quarterly and annually, with all data sourced from relevant agencies, including the Department of Labour.
Meanwhile, DOSM said in a statement today that MyLabourHub gathers more than 101 key indicators and 128 supporting indicators.
'It is structured under eight main themes, including labour supply and demand, labour productivity, graduates, the informal sector, labour costs, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),' it said.
It added that the portal launch is a strategic initiative under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), aiming to realign the national labour market towards inclusive, sustainable and competitive economic growth.
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The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Is there a 'right' retirement age?
Here we go again. Yet another round of viewpoints regarding increasing the retirement age. This came after Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said suggested that the government consider raising the retirement age to 65. It was her personal opinion but it opened the flood gates of debate from the public on whether this was a good or bad idea. My view on this? Neither good nor bad, but unavoidable, inevitable. The number of countries opting to raise their retirement age is growing. In the majority of countries in Europe, the retirement age is 65 and above, with Denmark and Norway leading at 67. What about Asia? Singapore is following suit. It plans to raise the statutory retirement age from 63 to 65 and the re-employment age from 68 to 70 in 2026. For Japan, it's 65. For Korea, India, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, it's 60 but it will likely be raised in the coming years. China is also joining the lineup. 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Some may need to continue working as their adult children are unable to support them, or they may need to help their adult children who are unable to find a job, or keep up with their financial commitments. Stop gap solution This is a temporary stop gap solution. No one wants to work indefinitely. Who doesn't want to enjoy freedom from work, to have time to pursue their personal interests and not be at the beck and call of their boss. What it comes down to is that family life and work life as we know it have changed drastically. This has impacted every aspect of our existence. We have to adjust, adapt and accept. This is one way of looking at progress. Or survival. Quite similar to how we now look at the digital world. Adapt or be left behind while the rest of the world marches on. This is the message to both young and old alike. And to countries too. Governments simply can't afford pension payouts when the older population keeps growing due to longer life expectancy and the younger population keeps shrinking due to lower fertility rate. Demographic changes have a huge impact on the economy, indeed on all aspects of life, and also on the family support system. China abandoned their 1979 one-child policy in 2015 when they realised the adverse implications it had on support for the growing older population. Whether we want to or not, whether we like it or not, the retirement age will continue to be raised. We don't have to work till we drop dead, but at least allow older workers to continue working for as long as the retirement age allows them to. They will know best whether they are physically and mentally fit enough to continue working. Employers also have the option to offer early retirement or not hire workers who do not satisfy the health requirements for the job. Let's not forget the social benefits of working longer. There are retirees who miss the social connections at work. When they stop working, life can become lonely. They miss their former colleagues. They miss the daily chat, the company outings and social functions. Isolation and loneliness can affect the mental health and wellbeing of older people. If these retirees were your parents, wouldn't you want them to continue working a few years longer and to remain independent longer? For young people who oppose raising the retirement age, be thankful that your working parents are self-supporting, and not a financial burden to you. Regardless of whether the retirement age is 60, 65 or 70, everyone reaches that age one day. Everyone has parents and grandparents. Think of them when you think of whether to support the proposal to raise the retirement age. We need to look at the issue both objectively and subjectively, from the government's point of view, from the employers' stand and also from the perspective of both the young and the old. 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