Latest news with #7thAPECHumanResourcesDevelopmentMinisterialMeeting
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
APEC Human Resources Development Ministers Issue Joint Statement
Ministers responsible for human resources development from APEC's 21 member economies convened in Jeju for the 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM). They issued a joint statement under the theme 'Sustainable Labour Markets and Jobs for the Future,' reaffirming their commitment to building inclusive, adaptable and resilient labour markets across the Asia-Pacific. Ministers acknowledged the need to modernize labour systems to keep pace with transformations driven by artificial intelligence, automation and new forms of work. They agreed to promote adaptable working conditions, strengthen social protections and address structural inequalities and labour market polarization. In preparing for future jobs, ministers committed to aligning skills development with industry needs, expanding access to lifelong learning and improving employment services. The joint statement also emphasized support for women, youth, older workers and persons with disabilities to enhance participation across the labour force. The ministers also highlighted the need for cooperation in addressing labour market polarization and ensuring that workers are equipped with the skills necessary for emerging industries. The statement aligns with APEC's broader goals under the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the Aotearoa Plan of Action.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Future Of Work In Focus As HRD Ministers Meet In Jeju
Issued by the 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting Jeju, Republic of Korea, 12 May 2025 APEC employment and labor ministers kicks off critical discussions in Jeju on Monday, calling for overhauls in employment systems and skills strategies as economies grapple with the dual disruption of technology and aging. Chaired by Min-suk Kim, Acting Minister of Employment and Labor of the Republic of Korea, the 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting underscores the urgency of adapting workforce systems to new realities shaped by artificial intelligence, demographic shifts and the growing complexity of employment types. 'Around the world, we are witnessing profound shifts in the way we work. New forms of employment are becoming more common and accordingly policies to protect workers are evolving. In this context, labor market increasingly face job disparities and polarization,' Acting Minister Kim said in his opening remarks. 'To turn these challenges into opportunities, our collective action to enhance the adaptability and the resilience of labor market is more important than ever.' Held under the theme 'Sustainable Labour Markets and Jobs for the Future,' the meeting marked the first gathering of APEC labor ministers in more than a decade with the last ministerial meeting held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam in 2014. Acting Minister Kim urged member economies to retool institutional frameworks to meet the demands of a modern workforce. He called for flexible wage and work-hour systems, tailored to performance and job roles, highlighting that a more flexible system 'will enable us to respond more effectively to changing conditions and support smoother transitions for workers across sectors.' He also urged his counterparts to strengthen and expand more high-quality employment opportunities in labor markets, including investing in education and training so young people can acquire the skills they need to thrive in the future workforce. 'At the same time, we must ensure broader participation in the labor force, particularly among women and older workers,' Acting Minister Kim said. 'This requires re-skilling and upskilling workers with digital capacities throughout their life cycle, with a focus on digital competencies such as AI.' The Chair emphasized the importance of enhancing institutional and financial support to safeguard the rights of workers in diverse forms of employment, including platform workers, stressing that 'no one should fall through the cracks.' 'Of course, these are not challenges that any single economy can solve alone. They require deeper cooperation and shared responsibility,' Acting Minister Kim added. 'Closer collaboration is required to make sure that all workers can benefit equally from future transformations,' he continued. 'Despite our different economic and social contexts, all 21 APEC member economies are united by a common goal: building sustainable labor markets and jobs.' Acting Minister Kim proposed the regular convening of a Sustainable Jobs Forum to bring together government and business stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific to translate policy dialogue into action. The full-day ministerial program continued with plenary sessions focused on labor flexibility and active workforce strategies, featuring presentations from member economies and international institutions such as the International Labour Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Daily Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Steven Sim: No economy should sacrifice worker rights for trade deals, urges Apec nations to strengthen cross-border protections
Published on: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 13, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said that workers' wellbeing is a critical and non-negotiable component of the Malaysian government's agenda. — Bernama pic PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has emphasised the need for greater cross-border sharing of ideas, best practices and policies to safeguard workers' wellbeing at the 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM), held today in Jeju, South Korea. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim in his address at the meeting reaffirmed that workers' wellbeing is a critical and non-negotiable component of the Malaysian government's agenda. 'I am extremely fortunate to continuously learn from the insights of colleagues in Asean and beyond. Even during this meeting, I have benefited from the experiences of other member economies in managing policies for platform workers, as I prepare to table Malaysia's historic Gig Workers Bill in the second half of this year,' he said. Sim added that platforms like APEC should do more to facilitate formal exchanges of such knowledge and practices among member economies. He also underscored the importance of a data-driven approach to understanding job market trends. 'For example, the Malaysian impact report I cited today breaks down the types of jobs affected in different sectors due to new economic trends, enabling the government to design more effective policy interventions,' he said. Sim highlighted a TalentCorp, the strategic think tank under the Ministry of Human Resources, report, titled Impact Study of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital, and the Green Economy on the Malaysian Workforce. 'As we look into this issue, we discovered a stark truth staring back at us: that our citizen workers will not be replaced by foreigners but by computers and computer softwares, many of which are produced natively in our country,' he said. Sim called for unwavering commitment to the protection of workers' rights and wellbeing, urging all economies to uphold this principle even in matters of trade and investment. 'No business deal should come at the cost of workers' welfare, and no economy should be penalised for prioritising worker protection,' he added. Sim is leading the Malaysian delegation to the HRDMM in Jeju, which is being held for the first time in 11 years, with the last meeting taking place in Vietnam in 2014. The meeting, in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference, is themed 'Labour Market Sustainability and Future Work'. * 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
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Steven Sim on three-day visit to South Korea for APEC ministerial meeting
PUTRAJAYA: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim is undertaking an official working visit to South Korea from today until Tuesday (May 11–13) to attend the 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM). In a statement, the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) said Sim is leading the Malaysian delegation to the HRDMM in Jeju, which is being held for the first time in 11 years, with the last meeting taking place in Vietnam in 2014. The meeting, held in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference, is themed "Labour Market Sustainability and Future Work". "The two main topics under discussion this time are Flexible and Dynamic Labour Markets, and Work Challenges of the Future and Active Labour Market Policies," the statement said. KESUMA said Malaysia's participation in this year's HRDMM underscores the country's continued commitment to fostering cooperation and strengthening ties with APEC economic partners in the fields of human resources, manpower, and social protection. On the sidelines of the meeting, Sim will hold bilateral talks with Thailand's Labour Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn and Hong Kong's Labour and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun to explore strategic cooperation in labour matters and human capital development. "The Human Resources Minister and his counterparts are expected to produce a Ministerial Joint Statement. "It will cover topics such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), women's participation in the workforce, empowerment of persons with disabilities, as well as worker safety and health, among others," KESUMA said.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sim on three-day visit to South Korea for APEC Ministerial Meeting
PUTRAJAYA: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim is undertaking an official working visit to South Korea from today until Tuesday (May 11–13) to attend the 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM). In a statement, the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) said Sim is leading the Malaysian delegation to the HRDMM in Jeju, which is being held for the first time in 11 years, with the last meeting taking place in Vietnam in 2014. The meeting, held in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference, is themed 'Labour Market Sustainability and Future Work'. 'The two main topics under discussion this time are Flexible and Dynamic Labour Markets, and Work Challenges of the Future and Active Labour Market Policies,' the statement said. KESUMA said Malaysia's participation in this year's HRDMM underscores the country's continued commitment to fostering cooperation and strengthening ties with APEC economic partners in the fields of human resources, manpower, and social protection. On the sidelines of the meeting, Sim will hold bilateral talks with Thailand's Labour Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn and Hong Kong's Labour and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun to explore strategic cooperation in labour matters and human capital development. 'The Human Resources Minister and his counterparts are expected to produce a Ministerial Joint Statement. 'It will cover topics such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), women's participation in the workforce, empowerment of persons with disabilities, as well as worker safety and health, among others,' KESUMA said.
