Latest news with #MADANIWorkers'Card
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Minimum Wage Not Sole Indicator Of Worker Welfare, Collective Agreement A Better Tool
SHAH ALAM, May 21 (Bernama) -- The minimum wage should not be seen as the only measure of worker welfare, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. He said the collective agreement (CA) is a more comprehensive and flexible mechanism for negotiating fair wages and benefits tailored to specific industry contexts. 'A CA carries legal weight under the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177), and employers who fail to comply can face legal action. 'It also provides legal protection for both workers and employers, forming the foundation for harmonious and productive industrial relations,' he said in a statement today. Earlier, Sim visited the National Automotive Industry Workers Union (PONSB) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic collaboration between the government and industry workers at the grassroots level. In the same statement, the Human Resources Ministry said the visit involved discussions on various issues in the automotive sector, including terms of service, current challenges, strategies to boost union membership, digitalisation of union management, and leadership training. 'The minister also highlighted several key government initiatives, including the implementation of the Progressive Wage Policy (DGP) and the launch of the MADANI Workers' Card, which has registered over 58,000 union members to date. 'This card offers a range of benefits, such as discounts on essential goods, healthcare services, and access to skills training,' the ministry added. To support union modernisation, the ministry also provided a RM25,000 grant to PONSB this year under the Trade Union Affairs Programme (PHEKS) for training and ICT equipment.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Minimum wage not sole indicator of worker welfare, collective agreement a better tool
SHAH ALAM: The minimum wage should not be seen as the only measure of worker welfare, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. He said the collective agreement (CA) is a more comprehensive and flexible mechanism for negotiating fair wages and benefits tailored to specific industry contexts. 'A CA carries legal weight under the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177), and employers who fail to comply can face legal action. 'It also provides legal protection for both workers and employers, forming the foundation for harmonious and productive industrial relations,' he said in a statement today. Earlier, Sim visited the National Automotive Industry Workers Union (PONSB) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic collaboration between the government and industry workers at the grassroots level. In the same statement, the Human Resources Ministry said the visit involved discussions on various issues in the automotive sector, including terms of service, current challenges, strategies to boost union membership, digitalisation of union management, and leadership training. 'The minister also highlighted several key government initiatives, including the implementation of the Progressive Wage Policy (DGP) and the launch of the MADANI Workers' Card, which has registered over 58,000 union members to date. 'This card offers a range of benefits, such as discounts on essential goods, healthcare services, and access to skills training,' the ministry added. To support union modernisation, the ministry also provided a RM25,000 grant to PONSB this year under the Trade Union Affairs Programme (PHEKS) for training and ICT equipment. Meanwhile, PONSB president Mohd Azmi Abu Bakar expressed appreciation to Sim, Proton non-executive chairman Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar Syed Rethza Albar, and its management team for engaging directly with workers during the visit. During the dialogue session, Sim reiterated the crucial role of trade unions as a collective voice in protecting workers' rights and welfare. He also encouraged greater participation in unions to foster solidarity and expand negotiation channels with employers. Mohd Azmi said the ministry expressed its support for PONSB and Proton management in the upcoming negotiations for the 13th Collective Agreement (CA) for the 2025–2027 period, expected to begin in June. 'PONSB will submit its initial proposal, which includes a 15 per cent salary adjustment, to ensure improved benefits for its 4,938 members,' he said.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Minimum wage not sole indicator of worker welfare
SHAH ALAM: The minimum wage should not be seen as the only measure of worker welfare, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. He said the collective agreement (CA) is a more comprehensive and flexible mechanism for negotiating fair wages and benefits tailored to specific industry contexts. 'A CA carries legal weight under the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177), and employers who fail to comply can face legal action. 'It also provides legal protection for both workers and employers, forming the foundation for harmonious and productive industrial relations,' he said in a statement today. Earlier, Sim visited the National Automotive Industry Workers Union (PONSB) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic collaboration between the government and industry workers at the grassroots level. In the same statement, the Human Resources Ministry said the visit involved discussions on various issues in the automotive sector, including terms of service, current challenges, strategies to boost union membership, digitalisation of union management, and leadership training. 'The minister also highlighted several key government initiatives, including the implementation of the Progressive Wage Policy (DGP) and the launch of the MADANI Workers' Card, which has registered over 58,000 union members to date. 'This card offers a range of benefits, such as discounts on essential goods, healthcare services, and access to skills training,' the ministry added. To support union modernisation, the ministry also provided a RM25,000 grant to PONSB this year under the Trade Union Affairs Programme (PHEKS) for training and ICT equipment. Meanwhile, PONSB president Mohd Azmi Abu Bakar expressed appreciation to Sim, Proton non-executive chairman Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar Syed Rethza Albar, and its management team for engaging directly with workers during the visit. During the dialogue session, Sim reiterated the crucial role of trade unions as a collective voice in protecting workers' rights and welfare. He also encouraged greater participation in unions to foster solidarity and expand negotiation channels with employers. Mohd Azmi said the ministry expressed its support for PONSB and Proton management in the upcoming negotiations for the 13th Collective Agreement (CA) for the 2025–2027 period, expected to begin in June. 'PONSB will submit its initial proposal, which includes a 15 per cent salary adjustment, to ensure improved benefits for its 4,938 members,' he said.
The Sun
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
FMM calls for national action plan to address shortage of labour quarters
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) has proposed that the government formulate a National Action Plan on Labour Quarters to address the shortage of proper accommodation for workers, especially in key industrial areas and logistics hubs across the country. Its president, Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai, proposed that the action plan be implemented jointly by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the Ministry of Human Resources and local authorities. 'The current shortfall in Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) and Temporary Labour Quarters (TLQ) has impacted both worker welfare and employer compliance with Act 446, which governs minimum standards of housing and amenities,' he said in a statement. He added that employers often face delays in obtaining development approvals and navigating bureaucratic processes, making it difficult to provide workers with safe, regulated living conditions. As such, the FMM recommended three core measures under the proposed action plan, namely the fast-tracking of approvals for CLQ and TLQ development, targeted incentives for employers and developers to build or retrofit proper accommodation, and public-private partnership (PPP) models aligned with local development strategies. 'These measures are essential to ensure that worker housing evolves in tandem with Malaysia's industrial growth,' Soh said. On other developments, FMM also praised the government's broader labour reforms, citing the recent drop in unemployment to 3.1 per cent and the increase in female labour force participation to 56.2 per cent as signs of effective policy intervention. Soh said the introduction of the MADANI Workers' Card, which offers discounts on essential goods and services, is a significant step forward in integrating social protection into worker benefits. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when delivering his message in conjunction with the 2025 National Labour Day celebration at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil here yesterday, announced that one million union members will receive discounts of up to 30 per cent from over 100 companies offering essential goods and services through the MADANI Workers' Card initiative. 'This is in appreciation of workers for their hard work in carrying out their duties and trust,' Anwar said. In a nod to Malaysia's labour movement history, Soh welcomed the revival of the 'Solidariti Perjuangan' song, penned by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, which he said serves as a timely reminder of the central role of workers in nation-building.
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MADANI Workers' Card, a Labour Day gift
KUALA LUMPUR: The MADANI Workers' Card initiative announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Labour Day celebrations today has been described as a special gift to the workers, with many expressing gratitude for the government's concern. In MELAKA, clinic assistant Jaszmina Iskandar, 25, described the MADANI Workers' Card as the best gift from the government in helping to ease the increasingly challenging cost of living. She said the initiative not only boosts workers morale, but also encourages employers to be more transparent in safeguarding the welfare of employees. 'Besides reducing our burden, it also motivates us to continue working with honesty and enthusiasm in the future,' she said. In PAHANG, private sector employee Hafiza Halimi, 35, said the launch of MADANI Workers' Card is the government's way of showing its appreciation to the workforce, and it can also boost consumer purchasing power while stimulating the country's economic growth. Meanwhile, in TERENGGANU, the state's Trade Union Affairs Department director Rosli Zakaria said the initiative is a two-pronged strategy, as it would not only ease the workers' burdens but also contribute to the strengthening of the economy for industry players involved in offering discounts. 'To me, it's a win-win situation, workers can enjoy discounts and be more productive, while participating companies benefit from promotions and increased sales,' he said when contacted by Bernama today. Echoing the sentiment, Selangor Human Resources and Poverty Eradication Committee chairman V. Paparaidu urged both workers and employers to work together in support of the Prime Minister's aspiration to drive national progress. He stressed the importance of adequate incentives and motivational guidance to ensure that employees remain enthusiastic and loyal, thereby enhancing production quality. 'Commitment from both sides can trigger a domino effect, higher output and quality, increased company revenues and improved national performance,' he said. Paparaidu also called on employers to re-evaluate fair and equitable rewards to protect the welfare and dignity of their employees. Earlier, Anwar Ibrahim announced that the MADANI Workers' Card will allow union members to enjoy discounts on a range of services, with participating companies including AEON, Mydin, Jakel, Marrybrown, Genting, OldTown White Coffee, ZUS Coffee, SOCAR and Bateriku.
