Latest news with #KESUMA
Borneo Post
13 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah to have one-stop labour service centre
Steven Sim KOTA KINABALU (June 2): The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) will set up a one-stop labour service centre in Sabah. Its minister, Steven Sim Chee Keong, said the new initiative will consolidate various employment-related services under one roof. Sim announced this during a recent working visit to the Sabah Medical Services Union (SMSU) as part of his ministry's ongoing efforts to engage with workers and strengthen labour protections and welfare nationwide. Previously, the minister had outlined plans to set up three pilot centres in Penang, the Klang Valley and Johor Bahru. The Sabah centre marks the latest step in expanding this initiative across the country, with hopes for its realization in the coming months. 'We will create a one-stop centre in Sabah. All worker-related issues — whether involving the Labour Department (JTK), the Department of Industrial Relations (JPPM), the Trade Union Affairs Department (JHEKS), PERKESO, etc.—can be addressed in one place. Workers won't need to go back and forth between different offices,' Sim said in a statement released by KESUMA on Monday. He commended SMSU for its over 60 years of service in advocating for workers' welfare, particularly in Sabah's healthcare sector, praising its members as 'frontline heroes' who sacrificed greatly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sim also highlighted KESUMA's key achievement: the long-delayed approval of the Sabah Labour Ordinance and Sarawak Labour Ordinance, stalled for over 20 years before finally being passed by Parliament in 2024. These amendments, effective from 1 May 2025 (except for Part IVA on minimum housing standards for workers), harmonize labour rights and protections nationwide. 'We cannot let workers in Sabah and Sarawak remain behind in protections. This success was not mine alone but a collective effort — MTUC, trade unions, state governments, and KESUMA officials, including JTK Sabah director Wan Zulkifli Wan Setapa,' he explained. In another milestone, the minister celebrated the establishment of the Sabah Labour Advisory Council (SLAC) on 13 May 2025, congratulating SMSU president Ajulahin Japin and executive secretary Laurence Vun on their SLAC appointments. Ajulahin was also appointed a permanent member of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) starting 1 May 2025. NLAC serves as a tripartite platform (employers, workers, government) advising on labour policies and legislation. To boost union participation, KESUMA launched the MADANI Worker Card, offering 10–30% discounts at selected businesses, with plans to recruit more companies. SMSU also received a 260% increase in 2025 grants (RM111,900 vs. RM33,000 in 2024), reflecting the raised national PHEKS grant allocation from RM2.6 million (2023) to RM10 million (2025). As added support, Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe announced a RM5,000 special allocation for SMSU. The visit underscores KESUMA's commitment to amplifying workers' voices, expanding service access, and embedding MADANI principles in equitable, inclusive labour development nationwide.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
ILO, ASEAN sec-gen praise Sim's leadership in skills development
KUALA LUMPUR: Human Resource Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has received high praise from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn for his visionary leadership in advancing skills development and human capital investment across the region. Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) in a statement said the recognition comes as Malaysia, under its ASEAN Chairmanship hosted the ASEAN Human Capital Development Investment Symposium (AHCDIS), here today. According to the statement, Kao praised Malaysia's commitment, expressing his appreciation to the ministry and the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) for their visionary leadership in launching the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 (AYOS 2025) as a flagship initiative under Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship. 'This symposium provides a timely and meaningful platform to reaffirm our collective commitment to investing in our people, the true architects of ASEAN's growth and the foundation of ASEAN's resilience and progress,' Kao said. The symposium brought together around 300 key stakeholders from across ASEAN to discuss strategic investments in skills and human capital development. Themed 'Investment in Human Capital, Sustainable Financing, Public-Private Partnerships and Social Inclusion', the event is a flagship platform under the AYOS 2025, which aims to bridge skills gaps, foster talent mobility and promote inclusive growth throughout the region. AYOS 2025, led by KESUMA, features seven flagship events, including the AHCDIS and the National Training Week (NTW), both designed to drive collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation across the region. These efforts align with Malaysia's broader vision to position ASEAN as a global leader in skilled talent and sustainable development. Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 marks a pivotal moment for the country and the region. As Chair, Malaysia is leading a year-long series of initiatives and high-level meetings focused on inclusivity, sustainability, and regional cooperation.
Barnama
6 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
ILO, ASEAN Sec-gen Praise Sim's Leadership In Skills Development
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 -- Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim Chee Keong delivers his keynote address during the ASEAN Human Capital Development Investment Symposium (AHCDIS) at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHTS RESERVED KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) -- Human Resource Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has received high praise from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn for his visionary leadership in advancing skills development and human capital investment across the region. Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) in a statement said the recognition comes as Malaysia, under its ASEAN Chairmanship hosted the ASEAN Human Capital Development Investment Symposium (AHCDIS), here today. According to the statement, Kao praised Malaysia's commitment, expressing his appreciation to the ministry and the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) for their visionary leadership in launching the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 (AYOS 2025) as a flagship initiative under Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship. 'This symposium provides a timely and meaningful platform to reaffirm our collective commitment to investing in our people, the true architects of ASEAN's growth and the foundation of ASEAN's resilience and progress,' Kao said. The symposium brought together around 300 key stakeholders from across ASEAN to discuss strategic investments in skills and human capital development. Themed 'Investment in Human Capital, Sustainable Financing, Public-Private Partnerships and Social Inclusion', the event is a flagship platform under the AYOS 2025, which aims to bridge skills gaps, foster talent mobility and promote inclusive growth throughout the region. AYOS 2025, led by KESUMA, features seven flagship events, including the AHCDIS and the National Training Week (NTW), both designed to drive collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation across the region. These efforts align with Malaysia's broader vision to position ASEAN as a global leader in skilled talent and sustainable development. Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 marks a pivotal moment for the country and the region. As Chair, Malaysia is leading a year-long series of initiatives and high-level meetings focused on inclusivity, sustainability, and regional cooperation.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
KESUMA calls on employers to uphold workers' rights
BUTTERWORTH: Employers, including government agencies, companies, industries, and individuals, have been urged to protect workers' rights and avoid any conduct which may result in exploitation or forced labour. Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) deputy secretary-general (Operations) Sutekno Ahmad Belon said that exploitation and forced labour are no longer just labour or legal matters, but global humanitarian issues which every employer must take seriously. 'It also directly affects the country's reputation and international trade relations. For instance, the issuance of Withhold Release Orders (WRO) by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), on products linked to forced labour, is a very serious measure. 'Therefore, addressing this issue requires collective effort, and the implementation of the National Action Plan on Forced Labour (NAPFL) 2021-2025, jointly led by the National Strategy Office - Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (NSO MAPO) and Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) - demonstrates the country's unified commitment to eradicating forced labour,' he said. He said this to reporters, after officiating the Prevention of Labour Exploitation: Towards Zero Forced Labour 2030 Seminar, which was attended by more than 300 employers from various sectors, in Penang, today. He added that the one-day seminar aimed to raise awareness on labour issues and forced labour, as well as to strengthen cooperation between the government, industry, and civil society in creating workplaces free from exploitation. He said that the seminar also focused on critical issues such as forced labour, compliance with labour laws, and the challenges faced by industries in ensuring justice and workers' welfare. Sutekno added that there are 11 indicators of forced labour, including workers being confined or restricted, wages being withheld or illegally deducted, workers being threatened, forced to work overtime without pay, and workers not having access to their own documents. Forced labour remains a challenge, because Malaysia, as an active player in global trade, hosts a large number of foreign workers, creating opportunities for exploitation if monitoring is not strict. He noted that Malaysia is currently ranked at Tier 2 in the United States Department of State's 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report but aims to reach Tier 1 by 2030.
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Govt targets two million trade union members by end of 2025
Tun Musa (second from left) presenting PHEKS aid to the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd Workers' Union. – Information Department photo KOTA KINABALU (May 20): The government, through the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), aims to reach two million trade union members nationwide by the end of this year. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong stated that the amendments to the Trade Unions Act 1959, which came into force in September last year, now allow trade unions to be established with a minimum of seven members, opening more opportunities for workers to actively participate in union movements. 'As of December 31, 2024, 1.03 million workers have joined trade unions. With the enhanced Trade Union Affairs Program (PHEKS) implemented this year, we are confident that the target of two million members by the end of 2025 can be achieved,' he said in a speech read by his representative, Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen, at the 2025 PHEKS aid handover ceremony on Monday. At the event, Sabah Governor Tun Musa Aman presented 20 PHEKS grants to trade unions in Sabah for clusters including research, academic writing, training and education, as well as computer equipment procurement. Additionally, Tun Musa received a research book titled 'Trade Union Awareness and Workers' Perception of the Effectiveness of Trade Unions in Sabah and Labuan Federal Territory' from the National Petroleum Staff Union (KAPENAS) Labuan, a product of the 2024 PHEKS grant for trade union movement research. Steven added that for 2025, the government has allocated RM10 million for PHEKS implementation — the highest amount in the program's history. 'Of this, RM7.15 million involves 551 approved applications, including 48 from Sabah Zone worth RM500,500. The remaining RM2.85 million will be used for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and outreach programs to raise awareness about the benefits of trade unions, especially among young workers.' He emphasized that efficient union administration requires good governance in management and finances. 'For this purpose, grants under the Computer Equipment Procurement Cluster cover 180 approvals worth RM831,107, while the Trade Union Digital Records Cluster includes 22 approvals valued at RM384,599.84. These initiatives help union officials maintain digital records and streamline new membership applications.' Due to the encouraging response to training programs, KESUMA has also increased the funding ceiling for the Training and Education Cluster from RM20,000 to RM30,000 per application to nurture more competent and competitive future union leaders. Currently, there are 762 registered trade unions nationwide, with 500 in the private sector involving 411,520 members. Only 240 unions have collective agreements covering 67,644 workers. Also present were Sabah Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, JHEKS Director-General Mohamad Asri Abdul Wahab and JHEKS Sabah Director Noraini Ithnin.
