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Barnama
30-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Sarawak Aims Higher Despite Rise In Industrial Harmony Score
KUCHING, July 30 (Bernama) -- Sarawak's Industrial Harmony Index (HI) score rose to 81.5 per cent in 2023, up from 79.3 per cent the year before. However, there is still room for improvement to match or surpass the national average. Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said the increase reflects positive employer-employee relations but stressed the need for continued progress. 'The score shows that Sarawak's industrial landscape is generally harmonious, but we are aiming to reach or exceed the national average of 83 per cent,' he told reporters after officiating the 2025 Sarawak Industrial Harmony Programme, themed 'Sustainable Industrial Harmony Through Legal Empowerment', here today.
The Star
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Better but still room for improvement for Sarawak's Industrial Harmony Index score, says state deputy minister
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Datuk Gerawat Gala (centre) opening the Sarawak industrial harmony programme in Kuching. KUCHING: Sarawak's Industrial Harmony Index score increased by nearly 3% from 2022 to 2024, but there is still room for improvement, says Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Office Datuk Gerawat Gala. He said the state's score rose from 79.3% in 2022 to 81.5% last year, slightly below the national score of 83%. "This is a satisfying achievement. We are happy with the progress, which shows that we are moving in the right direction. "But I hope this achievement will continue to increase in the coming years because we want to be at least the same, if not better, than the national score," he told reporters after opening the Sarawak industrial harmony programme here on Wednesday (July 30). Gerawat expressed confidence that companies in Sarawak would take positive steps to improve their performance in industrial harmony. He said that two companies from Sarawak made it to the finals of the Anugerah Syarikat Harmoni 2025 awards, which recognised companies that implemented best practices to create a conducive and harmonious work environment. "This shows that the landscape of industrial relations in Sarawak is harmonious," he said. In his speech earlier, Gerawat said employers and employees should work together to resolve industrial issues. "Confrontational and combative methods of resolving differences between employers and employees are always a lose-lose situation for both parties. "In modern times, this approach is out of date. It's always productive to be collaborative between employers and employees," he said. As such, he called on employers and workers' unions to inculcate a culture of collaboration and consultation in resolving disputes. "Employees will be motivated to be more productive in a conducive work environment," he said.
Borneo Post
07-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Petronas workforce 'right-sizing' prompts calls for fairness, support measures
File photo for illustration purposes KUCHING (June 7): Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala has urged Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) to consider all alternatives before proceeding with its plan to lay off 5,000 employees. Speaking to The Borneo Post today, the Mulu assemblyman acknowledged that while Petronas may have its own justifications, retrenchment should be the last resort for any commercial organisation. 'There are other options Petronas can consider, such as offering a voluntary separation scheme (VSS), redeploying staff between departments — for example, from upstream to downstream — implementing temporary salary cuts, or initiating retraining programmes,' he said. 'Only employees who are truly redundant or surplus to requirements should be laid off. Any staff member who feels they have been unfairly dismissed under the guise of redundancy can challenge their termination in the Industrial Court.' When asked whether the layoffs were related to Sarawak Petroleum Berhad (Petros) being recognised as the state's gas aggregator, Gerawat declined to comment. However, the Sarawak Oil and Gas Workers Association (SOGWA) said they do not believe the move is a direct result of Petros' appointment, though acknowledged it may trigger a realignment within the industry. 'This change presents an opportunity for Sarawak to assert greater control over its oil and gas sector,' said SOGWA deputy chairman Keroana Johny Weiss. 'But if Sarawakians are among those affected by the layoffs, it will significantly impact local families and communities. 'Many of these workers are highly skilled and experienced professionals who have contributed significantly to the national oil and gas industry,' she stressed. 'Their displacement not only affects livelihoods but also risks a loss of valuable talent from Sarawak.' 'We strongly urge the Sarawak government to step in and provide structured support such as job placement programmes, upskilling initiatives, and inclusion in ongoing and future state led projects,' she said. 'This is vital to safeguard Sarawak's interests, retain our professional resources, and ensure Sarawakians continue to play a key role in managing and developing our state's natural wealth,' she added. Labour Law Reform Coalition (LLRC) deputy chairman Andrew Lo echoed similar sentiments. While acknowledging that layoffs can be inevitable in the corporate world, he stressed that they must be executed with fairness and transparency. 'What must done is that the layoff must be a last resort, be made in good faith, with full consultation with employees and their unions, adequate compensation and feasible options and assistance to those affected- transition and training for new jobs.' Voluntary and mutual agreeable exit schemes should be implemented instead of forced retrenchment, he added. Such schemes should be offered to everyone to minimise coercion and undue pressure on employees, Lo added. According to Bernama report on Thursday, Petronas President and Chief Executive Officer Tengku Tan Sri Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz has said that Petronas would cut about 10 per cent of its workforce as part of the national oil and gas company's 'right-sizing' and restructuring process. Muhammad Taufik also denied that the state-owned company would exit its business in Canada. Petronas had previously stated that it needs to 'right-size' its workforce to ensure the company's sustainability in the decades to come. Petronas has nearly 50,000 employees, according to its website. gerawat gala Keroana Johny Weiss Petronas right size workforce
Borneo Post
14-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2025 returns with 180 stalls, cultural festivities
Gerawat (seated, centre) in a photo-call with members of the Gawai Bazaar organising committee after the meeting. – Ukas photo KUCHING (May 14): The Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2025, set to take place for 11 days tomorrow (May 15) till May 25, will feature 180 stalls and a range of cultural activities at the MJC Batu Kawah New Township, said Datuk Gerawat Gala. Gerawat, who chairs the main committee for the state-level Gawai Dayak celebration, said the stalls would include those selling to handicrafts, as well as food, beverages, and dry goods operated by the local community. He also announced that the opening ceremony will be officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, with the date to be finalized soon. 'This bazaar not only adds vibrancy to the Gawai Dayak celebration but also serves as a platform to promote local crafts, foster unity, and showcase the rich cultural diversity of the Dayak community,' he was quotes as saying by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) after chairing the Gawai Bazaar organising committee meeting, here yesterday. He added that a variety of cultural and entertainment programmes are also scheduled throughout the bazaar, including the Gawai Idol competition, Ratu Gawai pageant, and the Battle of the Band event. 'These activities are expected to attract participation from youth and members of the public from all walks of life,' he said. 'This bazaar is open to all races. We welcome everyone to join in the festivities while supporting local entrepreneurs,' added Gerawat, who is also Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring). He expressed hope that broader community participation would further highlight the uniqueness of the Gawai celebration as a pillar of unity and cultural heritage in Sarawak. This year, the Orang Ulu community has been given the honour of hosting the celebration, providing an opportunity to showcase their rich customs and traditions to Sarawakians and visitors alike. Gerawat also revealed that the 2025 Sarawak-Level Gawai Dayak celebration will include several main events, such as the Gawai Tradition Carnival on June 12 and 13 at the Federation of Orang Ulu Associations of Sarawak, Malaysia (FORUM) building in Miri. A Gawai Dayak Parade will be held on June 21 at the Kuching Waterfront which will be officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The highlight of the celebrations, the Gawai Dayak Gala Dinner, will be held on June 22 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) and is expected to be graced by Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar. A coffee table book themed around Dayak culture and heritage will also be launched in conjunction with the celebration. community cultural food festival Gawai Dayak Bazaar gerawat gala lead
Borneo Post
04-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Ceremony honours local heroes who fought alongside Semut commandos
Gerawat (second left) presents a token to one of the recipients. MIRI (May 5): A special ceremony was held in Bario last Saturday to honour Kelabit veterans and the families of local heroes who fought alongside the elite Z-Semut Special Force commandos during World War II. Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Gerawat Gala was present to deliver commemorative tokens to the recipients. In his speech, the Mulu assemblyman said the Semut Operation had not only helped liberate the region but also transformed the lives of the Kelabit community by exposing them to the outside world and Western military culture. 'This resulted in many Kelabit men later joining the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysia Police after World War II,' he said. He added that the event has also become a platform to educate the communities on the important role of the Z-Force special unit and local volunteers in the fight against Japanese forces during the war. The ceremony was organised by Rurum Kelabit Sarawak in collaboration with the N78 Mulu Service Centre. army veterans gerawat gala lead World War II
