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Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Reskill, upskill to stay in the game
While artificial intelligence has rendered some jobs obsolete, it has also ushered in new ones that require a new set of skills. (AFP pic) PETALING JAYA : For those who are desperate to keep their jobs, artificial intelligence (AI) has become the bogeyman. The threat of it replacing you and I at the workplace is all very real. Many experts have also added fuel to the fire, citing research that shows imminent widespread job losses as a result of the entry of AI. For instance, researchers at investment banking and multi-financial services group Goldman Sachs recently estimated that AI could eventually replace two-thirds of all occupations. But technology has been taking away jobs for years, if not decades now. Over the years, automation has already led to endless cycles of job losses. On the factory floor in many industrial areas, the chatter of workers has been replaced by the humming of robotic arms. But while the threat of AI is very much in our collective psyche, the fact is that many other factors also lead to job losses. As unionist J Solomon points out, companies also undergo restructuring exercises from time to time, making 'down-sizing' imperative. Over and above that, economic fallout, change in consumer demand, or shifts in business strategies also render many jobs obsolete. Need for change AI is not necessarily the main cause of job losses. In many sectors, such as oil and gas (O&G) and media, companies have been forced to incorporate new technology into their operations in the face of rising costs. In O&G, experts say, the widespread acceptance of AI could yield savings of anything from 10% to 20% on spending. For instance in Singapore, the O&G sector has achieved significant cost reductions, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced safety, resulting in more informed decisions, according to Supermec, an integrated engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance services provider based in the island republic. A consequence of that is that some jobs are rendered redundant. Big oil companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron are already leveraging consolidation and technology-driven improvements to manage costs amid declining returns from upstream investments. In the media, newspapers in the UK and Italy are already experimenting with replacing reporters with AI. Last year the Worcester Journal, one of more than 200 titles published by Newsquest, the UK's second biggest publisher, hired eight 'AI-assisted' journalists to report on local news, according to The Guardian. Reporters' input was considered mundane but necessary 'trusted content', The Guardian reported. This freed up real-life reporters to take on other assignments such as meeting with the local councillor, or attending a village fete, according to news editor Stephanie Preece. In Italy, the Il Foglio newspaper published an edition generated entirely by AI on March 18, 2025. The four-page special, aptly named Il Foglio AI, was made available in print and online as part of a month-long experiment, the Prompt Engineering and AI Institute reported on its website The plus side But ominous as it sounds, that is only half the story. As Arulkumar Singaraveloo, CEO of human resources advisory services provider Malaysia HR Forum, puts it, it is not doom and gloom all the way. 'While AI will take over some of the tasks that are now handled by people, it cannot replace humans altogether,' he told FMT. For instance, he said, banks have reduced over-the-counter service substantially in favour of electronic transactions, but counters continue to stay open for customers who require interaction with a bank officer. Solomon, who is also secretary-general of the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE), shares the same sentiments. 'In banking, we frequently see efforts to reduce or replace human roles with AI innovations. But rather than being eliminated entirely, jobs such as data entry are often outsourced to foreign vendors, particularly in countries where labour cost is lower,' he told FMT. 'In such cases, the jobs are not disappearing, but rather being relocated, often under the guise of digital transformation or cost efficiency,' he added. On the bright side, the entry of AI has also led to new job openings even as it takes away traditional ones. In a May 15, 2025 report on an online community for startups and tech companies, Goldman Sachs noted that the new technology is creating new jobs as well, 'potentially easing the transition for affected workers'. The question is whether or not businesses are prepared to help their workers to re-skill or upskill themselves to take on new roles. The way to reskill and upskill is already here, with HRD Corporation (HRD Corp) at the forefront of such efforts in Malaysia. A second chance Over the years, there has in fact been a marked increase in the number of people seeking to acquire new skills, according to HRD Corp chief strategy officer Rony Ambrose Gobilee. In 2022, about 880,000 people participated in various training exercises under the auspices of HRD Corp. The number of participants rose to 1.49 million in 2024, representing a 69% increase over the period. The number is the sum of those seeking to reskill or upskill to enable them to get new jobs, as well as those who are looking for their first job. Another HRD Corp initiative that has attracted wide participation is its National Training Week (NTW), Gobilee told FMT. More than 3.53 million enrolled for the 2025 edition of its integrated centralised platform to search and apply for a spot in skills development programmes. This was up from 375,817 in 2024. 'This reflects a nationwide enthusiasm for accessible, high-impact training opportunities,' Gobilee pointed out. 'This trend reflects the growing awareness of the need to remain competitive and adaptable in a dynamic economic landscape and a significant growth in appetite for upskilling and reskilling among Malaysian workers,' he added. Gobilee said HRD Corp's efforts have played a pivotal role in empowering individuals to make the transition into new employment opportunities. For Solomon, this underscores the importance of opening the way for people to get back on their feet after retrenchment.
Borneo Post
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Malaysia among 25 nations reviewed by ILO over labour rights concerns
Solomon says Malaysia faced criticism during the conference for refusing to include a full tripartite delegation, specifically by excluding a worker representative from the MTUC. – Bernama photo KUCHING (July 5): Malaysia was among 25 countries shortlisted for review by the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) over violations of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 98, during the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) held in Geneva from June 2 to 13. This follows the ILO's supervisory process, in which ratified countries are periodically assessed to ensure their laws and practices align with the convention's requirement. Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Joint Special Committee chairman J Solomon said Malaysia faced criticism during the conference for refusing to include a full tripartite delegation, specifically by excluding a worker representative from the MTUC. 'Despite this, MTUC's presence made a strong impact, as the voices and struggles of Malaysian workers were heard loud and clear at the ILO,' he said in a statement yesterday. During the CAS discussion, Solomon noted that 12 out of 21 global speakers, including top International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) leaders, voiced strong support for MTUC. 'A representative for European Union (EU) Member States and even a minister urged Malaysia's Ministry of Human Resource (MoHR) to uphold ILO Convention No. 98,' he said. 'This should be a wakeup call for MoHR to correct its actions, which had violated the workers' rights, and ensure Malaysian workers enjoy dignity and fair livelihood.' As a result of the discussion on the complaints by six sectorial affiliates from MTUC, including on migrant workers, Solomon said the committee urged the Malaysian government, in consultation with the social partners, to take effective and time-bound measures to remove all the remaining legal and practical obstacles to collective bargaining and to promote its development. He added that the committee also called on the government to ensure effective protection against acts of anti-union discrimination with dissuasive sanctions. Victims of such discrimination must have the right to access justice and remedy. 'The committee further urged the government to review recognition procedures for collective bargaining, with reasonable and adequate safeguards to prevent interference, while also simplifying and expediting the administrative and judicial processes as well as to enable collective bargaining machinery for public servants who are not engaged in the administration of the state,' he said. Additionally, the committee requested the government to accept a technical advisory mission of the ILO before the next session of the conference and to report any progress to the Committee of Experts on the measures taken to implement the above recommendations in line with the convention by Sept 1, 2025. Solomon pointed out that the ILC serves as a platform where governments, employers, and workers jointly discuss convention violations and call on governments to take corrective action, while a panel of retired judges — known as the ILO Committee of Experts — reviews national laws and practices and reports on any gaps or violations. 'Unions also play a key role by submitting reports when governments fail to uphold workers' rights as required under international labour standards,' he added. Solomon further noted that the ITUC had informed MTUC that failure to participate in the 113th ILC would delay the hearing of Malaysia's Convention 98 case until 2028. This was why his committee, tasked by the court to prepare for the MTUC Special Delegates Conference (SDC) and oversee MTUC's interim administration, gathered names of affiliates interested in attending and submitted them to the MoHR. 'However, MoHR did not forward the list to the ILC despite repeated follow-ups. Nevertheless, 14 delegates from MTUC-affiliated unions, led by me, successfully attended the ILC with ITUC's support,' he said. Solomon also emphasised that the ILO's 'naming and shaming' system holds governments accountable for violating international labour standards. MTUC is set to host its Special Delegates Conference (SDC) on Aug 2-3 in Shah Alam. The Joint Special Committee was established through a Court Consent Order, resolving a dispute that had nullified the previously elected office bearers. Geneva International Labour Organisation J Solomon lead MTUC
Borneo Post
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
JSC defends MTUC authority amid claims of leadership void
J Solomon – Photo via Facebook KUCHING (June 8): The Joint Special Committee (JSC) has asserted its position as the legitimate leadership of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), rejecting claims by the Human Resources Minister that the congress lacks leadership. JSC chairman J Solomon stated that the minister must be held accountable for Malaysia's failure to send a complete workers' delegation to the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC), a significant event under the International Labour Organisation (ILO). 'MTUC is the most widely represented organisation of workers in Malaysia,' said Solomon. 'As required by the ILO Constitution, MTUC is responsible for nominating the workers' delegation whilst the minister's role is to submit the names provided by MTUC,' he said in a statement yesterday. He stressed that the minister had no authority to interfere in MTUC's internal affairs, particularly as the organisation is already in in the process of holding elections scheduled for August 2 and 3. Solomon added that Malaysia's credibility at the ILO is at stake, especially since Malaysia is shortlisted for discussions on the implementation of Convention 98, which relates to workers' rights and anti-union discrimination. He further charged that the minister had failed to ensure that Malaysian workers representatives were registered at the ILC, adding that the entire conduct of the minister was an attempt to prevent criticism over Malaysia's labour laws shortcomings from being aired at the international stage. 'If the minister was sincere in wanting to ensure that Malaysian workers are to be represented at the ILC, he would have reached out to the JSC after receiving the ILO invitation,' Solomon said. 'Instead, the minister chose to do nothing but offer excuses, and it is now clear that he is misusing the entire government machinery including the Attorney General's Chambers to 'cover his mischief',' he added. 'Malaysia needs a strong and full tripartite representation at the ILC. Yet, instead of focusing on urgent labour reforms, the minister seems to be denying MTUC its rightful place in the ILC.'
Free Malaysia Today
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
MTUC challenges ministry's stand on ILO conference representation
MTUC joint special committee chairman J Solomon said the congress's internal election process is under way and progressing well. PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has criticised the human resources ministry after it said the non-representation of workers at the recently concluded International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva was caused by the absence of legitimate leadership in MTUC. In a statement, MTUC alleged the ministry was trying to 'mislead the public'. 'It is undisputed that the current leadership of MTUC is the joint special committee,' said J Solomon, the chairman of the committee. He clarified that MTUC's internal election process — scheduled for Aug 2 and 3, 2025 — is under way and progressing well. The nation's largest labour union has effectively been without a working committee after a High Court ruling in 2023 declared the triennial election held a year earlier was null and void, triggering an extended internal dispute. In February, the Court of Appeal consented to an agreement to set up a joint special committee to run MTUC and hold a fresh election within 90 days. MTUC will hold its triennial election at a special delegates conference in early August to resolve the impasse.
Free Malaysia Today
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt denies blocking MTUC from ILC participation, cites internal dispute
The human resources ministry has urged MTUC to expedite its re-election to restore stability to the trade union movement and ensure Malaysia's full participation in the ILC next year. (File pic) PETALING JAYA : The human resources ministry has dismissed claims that the government blocked the participation of labour representatives to the now-concluded 2025 International Labour Conference (ILC). The ministry said the non-representation of workers at the conference held in Geneva was caused by the absence of legitimate leadership in the Malaysian Trade Unions Congress (MTUC), the country's largest trade union umbrella organisation. 'In February, the Court of Appeal ordered MTUC to conduct a re-election of its leadership within 90 days under the watch of a joint special committee,' it said in a statement today. 'This election was later postponed to August, leaving MTUC without a legitimate leadership to represent workers in any official platform.' The ministry stressed that the selection of the Malaysian delegation to the ILC was made transparently under the guidelines of the International Labour Organization, after seeking advice from the Attorney-General's Chambers. It also urged MTUC to expedite its re-election to restore stability to the trade union movement and ensure Malaysia's full participation in the ILC next year. On June 4, Malaysiakini reported that the joint special committee's chairman, J Solomon, denied knowledge of needing to hold an election within three months of the committee's formation. He had earlier criticised the government for failing to register labour delegates for the ILC.
