Latest news with #LabourDayCarnival2025
The Star
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Savings for union members
United for workers' rights: Anwar (centre) launching the 2025 National Labour Day celebration at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil. With him are (from left) Sim, Ahmad Zahid, Fadillah and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Members of all labour unions will be able to enjoy up to 30% discounts on about 100 selected services and products courtesy of the newly launched Kad Pekerja Madani. All private and public sector union members are eligible to apply for the card which was launched by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the national-level Labour Day celebration yesterday. The discounts span across 100 brands and are expected to benefit about one million union members nationwide, the Prime Minister said. According to the Kad Pekerja Madani website, participating brands include those in food and beverage, clothing and education as well as travel sectors. Workers can apply for the card through the Kad Pekerja Madani website and successful applicants will receive a digital card with a unique QR code. One of the aims of the programme is to reduce the living costs of union members through discounts and special perks, the website said. 'It is hoped that the benefits would also attract more workers to join unions and expand the social safety net for workers,' the website said. Present during the card's launch at the Labour Day Carnival 2025 at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, other Cabinet members and senior government officers. Anwar also presented several awards in conjunction with the national-level Labour Day celebrations. Among them were the Worker Icon Award (Anugerah Tokoh Pekerja), Best Employer, Best Workers' Union and Best Media Agency. In his speech, Anwar urged companies to share their profits with their workers by fairly compensating them. 'Yes I want companies to make profits, but don't keep the profits to yourselves,' he said in his speech at the Labour Day Carnival 2025 at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil here yesterday. He also said workers' rights go beyond just increasing their wages but involve providing a healthy workplace, training and decent housing. 'Without the cleaners and technicians, We won't achieve success,' he said. Anwar's speech received thunderous applause from over 10,000 attendees at the event who comprised labour union members from the public and private sectors. 'We started with increasing the minimum wage,' he said, referring to the RM1,700 monthly wage level set by the unity government in February. 'When we discussed this matter in the Cabinet, it was not easy as we received a lot of feedback and concerns from some employers,' he said. 'Some employers said there will be no investment, that production costs would increase.' Although the government accepted this feedback, it still had to think of the welfare of the workers at the lowest rungs of society, said Anwar. 'So we increased (the minimum wage) a little to protect their income and provide for their welfare,' he said.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
All workers should enjoy country's prosperity, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: The country's economic prosperity should be shared with everyone, especially to the workers who have contributed in building the country, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He also said that the workers' rights go beyond only increased wages, but also decent quality of health, education and housing. 'Our approach is not only on the increase of wages because we want this country to prosper, not only for the few, but for all. 'Without the cleaners... technicians, there won't be success,' he said in his speech at the Labour Day Carnival 2025 at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil here on Thursday (May 1). His speech received thunderous applause from over 10,000 spectators comprising labour unions from the public and private sectors. 'We started with increasing the minimum wage. When we discussed this matter in the Cabinet, it was not easy as we received a lot of feedback and concerns from some employers. 'Some employers said that the production costs would increase and be burdensome, but until when would the condition of the workers remain the same?' he said. Anwar called the rakyat to give the government the opportunity to further build the nation against all adversities. ALSO READ: Labour Day: Fair Wages, stronger labour laws and workers' rights vital, says Lam Thye He added that the struggle of the workers goes beyond skin colour, region, race and religion. 'When we fight for workers' rights, we never talk about their race. We're strong because of our unity, because we want change. 'The workers are the majority, who will decide who is the Prime Minister, his policy, they are the ones who will set the path for the country,' he said. He also urged employers to share the profits and compensate their workers who had helped build the company's performance. "Yes, I want the company to make profits, but don't keep the profits to yourselves," he added. Anwar also said that the Gig Workers Bill to further enhance the welfare of the workers will be tabled in the upcoming parliament's sitting. He also announced Kad Pekerja Madani, which would benefit over a million union members nationwide. Cardholders would have access to up to 30% off discounts from over 100 companies, offering products and services. Meanwhile, a one-stop centre combining several labour-related government agencies will also be established in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor to ensure accessibility. Also present at the event were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, among other Cabinet members and senior government officers. Anwar also delivered 14 awards in conjunction with the national-level Labour Day. Among them were National Employer Icon Awards (Anugerah Tokoh Pekerja), Best Employer, Best Union and Best Media Agency.
