Latest news with #Kesuma
Daily Express
4 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
One-Stop Labour Service Centre
Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 Text Size: Steven Sim being welcomed by SMSU officials during the working visit. Kota Kinabalu: The Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) will establish a One-Stop Labour Service Centre in Sabah as a new initiative to consolidate various employment-related services under one roof. Its Minister Steven Sim said the setting up the centre marks the latest step towards expanding this initiative throughout the country. 'We hope this one-stop centre will be realised in the months to come. 'All worker-related issues, whether concerning the Labour Department, Department of Industrial Relations Malaysia, Department of Trade Union Affairs, Perkeso (Social Security Organisation) and so on, can be referred to one place only. Workers no longer need to travel back and forth to various offices,' he said in a statement after making a working visit to the Sabah Medical Services Union (SMSU), here, Tuesday. Sim said the passing of the Sabah Labour Ordinance and Sarawak Labour Ordinance in Parliament last year was a major achievement for Kesuma because it was finally passed after being delayed for over 20 years. 'This step allows for the alignment of workers' rights and protection across the country. We cannot let workers in Sabah and Sarawak continue to lag behind in terms of protection. The success of amending these ordinances is not solely my effort but a collective one with the Malaysian Trade Union Congress, trade unions, the State Government and Kesuma officers. 'The Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025 and Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025 have come into effect from May 1, 2025, except for Part IVA, which contains special provisions related to minimum standards for housing, accommodation and worker facilities,' he said. In the meantime, Sim hopes SMSU can increase its membership from 8,000 to 10,000, in line with the national target to double the number of union members from one million to two million. 'Joining the union means we strengthen the voice of the workers. With balanced bargaining power, only then will workers' welfare be more assured. 'To encourage participation in the union, Kesuma launched the Madani Employee Card initiative, which offers discounts ranging from 10 to 30 per cent at selected premises and businesses. 'Efforts to involve more companies are also actively being pursued to expand benefits for every member,' he said. SMSU President Ajulahin Japin said they appreciate the various reforms brought since Sim took the lead in Kesuma, especially involving the full enforcement of the Sabah Labour Ordinance on May 1 this year, as well as the official establishment of the Sabah Labour Advisory Council (SLAC) on May 13. Ajulahin also said he is among the 16 union representatives who received their appointment letters as permanent committee members, and that he has also been appointed to the permanent committee within the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) starting from May 1. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * 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
Daily Express
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Skills training for Gaya folks
Published on: Monday, June 02, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 02, 2025 By: Nikko Fabian Text Size: Sim with DAP leaders and participants. Kota Kinabalu: Over 450 women and youths in four villages in Pulau Gaya – Kg Gaya, Kg Lok Urai, Kg Torong Logong and Kg Kesuapan – will receive training in floral arrangement entrepreneurship, digital marketing, drop shipping and motivational sessions for academic success. A statement said it is part of a Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) and Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) human capital development initiative bringing vital skills to one of Sabah's most geographically isolated communities. The 'Sentuhan Kesuma bersama HRD Corp di Bawah Bayu,' programme underscores the government's commitment to equitable access to education and economic empowerment, regardless of location. The event which coincided with National Training Week (NTW) 'Learning Without Borders' theme was officiated by the Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, who emphasised the importance of direct outreach to remote areas. 'We aim to equip every citizen with income-generating skills ... a skilled populace fuels national progress,' he said, adding that next week's NTW 2025 would see a return to Pulau Gaya, with a target of training 5,000 residents. 'Our Sabah target for 2025 is 60,000 participants, a significant increase from last year's 15,000.' Meanwhile, Sabah Industrial Development Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe highlighted the potential for skills training to attract investment and create jobs in Sabah. He said such initiatives not only improve individual livelihoods but also stimulate economic growth for the entire state. The event also marked a strategic partnership between HRD Corp and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through the Sabah Human Capital Initiatives & Nurturing Excellence (SHiNE) program. Phoong said the initiative would create a lifelong learning hub, focusing on research, skills training, and talent development solutions for Sabah's workforce. HRD Corp's Deputy Chairman, Tuan Ahsim Haji Jamat, anticipates SHiNE becoming a national model for human capital development. Further strengthening local skills, HRD Corp's Training Equipment and Facility Enhancement Scheme (ALAT) provided RM36,000 worth of equipment to the local tourism sector. In addition to skills training, Kesuma demonstrated its commitment to holistic well-being through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, including 700 life jackets, food baskets for 300 families, and RM20,000 to local schools. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * 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
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Pulau Gaya residents receive lifelong learning
Sim (third right) presenting a RM10,000 contribution to the SK Pulau Gaya PIBG, while Phoong (fourth right) and Ashim (right) look on. KOTA KINABALU (June 1): The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) and the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) have extended their human capital development initiatives directly to the residents of Pulau Gaya through the 'Sentuhan Kesuma Bersama HRD Corp di Bawah Bayu' community-focused programme. Officiated by Kesuma Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, the event reflects the ministry's strong commitment to ensuring that lifelong learning and training opportunities are accessible even to remote communities. In conjunction with HRD Corp's flagship annual event, the National Training Week (NTW) 2025, themed 'Learning Without Borders', this initiative in Pulau Gaya is a reflection of the main objective of ensuring equal access to quality training opportunities for all, regardless of location or background. The programme brought together over 450 residents from four local villages: Kampung Gaya, Kampung Lok Urai, Kampung Torong Logong and Kampung Kesuapan, who took part in a series of training sessions specifically designed for women, youth and students. These included workshops on flower arrangement entrepreneurship, digital marketing and drop shipping, as well as motivational sessions to inspire academic excellence. In his speech, Sim stressed that officers from each agency under Kesuma should always go down to the countryside including Pulau Gaya to provide the services required, including skills training. 'We want all citizens to be given skills so that they can generate higher income. When the citizens are more skilled, the country will also be more advanced. 'Next week, HRD Corp will launch the National Training Week 2025, and we will make sure we go back to Gaya Island and provide new skills to at least 5,000 residents of this island. 'For 2025, our target is to provide training to 60,000 participants from all over Sabah, compared to 15,000 last year,' he said. Meanwhile, State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe in his speech also stressed the need to bring more skills training to Sabah in order to open up more job opportunities. 'Such skills training can not only provide higher job opportunities and income, but it can also attract large-scale investment to Sabah, thus changing the fate of the people as a whole,' he said. During the same programme, HRD Corp also collaborated with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) for the strategic initiative 'Sabah Human Capital Initiatives & Nurturing Excellence (SHiNE)', an innovative platform that will function as the first lifelong learning hub of its kind in Malaysia, focusing on research, skills training and real-world talent development solutions tailored to meet the needs of the local and future workforce. According to HRD Corp board of directors deputy chairman Ahsim Jamat, he is confident that the SHiNE initiative will become a national reference model for talent and human capital development, thereby positively impacting the economic growth and well-being of the people in Sabah and Malaysia. More meaningfully, Sunday's programme also included the Industry and Community Training Collaboration Centre, where local tourism sector employers received benefits from HRD Corp's Training Facilities and Modification Scheme (ALAT) with the support of training equipment worth RM36,000 to enhance local skills training capabilities. Reflecting Kesuma's focus on holistic well-being, Sim also presented a Corporate Social Responsibility contribution in the form of 700 safety jackets for daily boat passengers, food baskets for 300 families around Pulau Gaya as well as a cash donation of RM20,000 to the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) of SMK Pulau Gaya and SK Pulau Gaya. The programme was also attended by Kuching Member of Parliament Dr Kelvin Yii; UMS registrar Luqman Ridha Anwar and Jesselton University College president Professor Dr Chin Yuk Fong.
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Over 800 in Sabah, mainly housewives, to benefit from expanded Socso protection
Sim (fourth left) presenting an SKSPS contribution with Azirruan (second left) to a recipient, while Jannie (third left) looks on. KOTA KINABALU (June 1): More than 800 individuals in Sabah, particularly housewives, can now benefit from social security protection under the Housewives' Social Security Scheme (SKSSR), introduced by the Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma). Kesuma Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong announced the expanded sponsorship of social security contributions through the 'Socso Lindung Kasih' programme at a hotel here on Saturday, in conjunction with the Kaamatan celebration. Sim revealed that 150 housewives under SKSSR and 50 self-employed individuals under the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) received contribution sponsorships amounting to RM21,500 during the event. In addition, he announced 600 more SKSSR contribution sponsorships to extend comprehensive social security coverage to more housewives in the state. 'This shows the government's continued commitment to protect housewives from domestic disasters and disabilities while managing the household,' Sim said. The initiative also received support from Kapayan assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang, who contributed to the programme to ensure broader protection coverage. Sim explained that while SKSSR is tailored for housewives, the SKSPS scheme targets individuals in the informal sector such as micro-entrepreneurs, small traders, farmers, food delivery riders and e-hailing drivers. Contributions under SKSPS can be as low as RM5.80 per month after government subsidies. Sim (centre) in a group photo with recipients at the Socso Lindung Kasih programme. 'If you run your own business, you can also get protection. This scheme is not only for salaried workers, but also for small-time entrepreneurs, which are plentiful in Sabah,' he said. He added that Sabah has the potential to become a national model in expanding the social safety net to rural and indigenous women, supporting the country's goal of protecting 500,000 housewives nationwide. During the event, Sim also presented benefit payments totaling RM66,390 to 13 recipients, covering claims under Act 4 (five recipients), Act 789 (three recipients), and Act 800 (five recipients). He highlighted that many still do not realise housewives are eligible for Socso protection if injured while performing household duties. 'There is no punch-in, punch-out in the life of housewives. They cook, wash and care for their families every day without leave or salary, so they too are 'working' and deserve protection. 'With just RM10 a month or RM120 a year, a husband or family member can contribute on behalf of their wife or mother and ensure lifetime protection,' he said. To ensure information reaches all communities, including remote areas, SKSSR pamphlets have also been published in the Kadazan language, thanks to efforts spearheaded by Jannie. Sim (fourth left) presenting an SKSPS contribution with Azirruan (second left) to Ruzaidie. 'I myself am not fluent in Kadazan, but I know that for people in Sabah to better understand, the materials must be in their language. This initiative will improve awareness and participation among rural and indigenous women,' Sim added. Meanwhile, Sim reminded employers that Saturday marked the final day of Socso's 'whitening month,' a campaign that saved employers up to RM100 million while protecting over one million workers nationwide. 'The whitewashing period ends today, and I urge all employers to stay committed to making contributions for their workers. This is a social responsibility that cannot be ignored,' he stressed. He also encouraged employees to download the Socso Prihatin app to check whether their employers are making the required contributions, ensuring their rights are safeguarded. 'This programme is part of a corporate social responsibility initiative that reflects the government's concern for all layers of society in Sabah, and expands universal social security coverage,' he added. Also present was Socso Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Operations) Azirruan Arifin. KESUMA lead Ministry of Human Resources socso steven sim
Barnama
23-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
KESUMA Studying Proposal To Raise Retirement Age
KLANG, May 23 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) is currently reviewing the proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65, said Minister Steven Sim. He said the matter was being examined by a special committee led by Kesuma's deputy secretary-general (Policy and International) Dr Mohd Shaharin Umar as it involved labour laws which fell under the ministry's purview. He said Kesuma would seek input and feedback from stakeholders, especially the public sector, workers, and employers, during the study to ensure compliance with international best practices. 'This committee will look at the suitability of raising the retirement age in Malaysia as there are pros and cons, along with certain challenges. However, within the ministry, part of labour market reforms involves reviewing all 28 existing labour laws. 'This is because some of these laws are outdated. We will look at ways to refine and harmonise them, and there are also (provisions) that we need to abolish or update,' he said after the central-level 2025 Union Affairs Development Grant (PHEKS) handover ceremony here today. Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65 was among the issues requiring attention and careful consideration. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had previously proposed that the government consider raising the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65. Azalina, who made the suggestion in her personal capacity, said it would be a loss for individuals to retire at 60 when they were still energetic, productive and capable of contributing to the workforce. Regarding today's event, Sim said the government had allocated a total of RM10 million this year, up from RM5.8 million in 2024, marking the highest amount in the history of PHEKS implementation.
