Latest news with #MadaniWorkers'Card
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Minister's visit a historic milestone for Sabah workers' union
Sim (centre) during his visit at the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Workers' Union of Sabah office recently. KOTA KINABALU (June 4): The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Workers' Union of Sabah has described the recent official visit by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong as a historic moment and a significant gesture of recognition for workers in the state. Its Secretary-General, Mohd Shahbudin Abdullah, said it was the first time a federal minister had ever visited their union office to engage directly with workers, calling the visit a landmark occasion since the union's formation. 'This visit marks a meaningful chapter for us. Never before has any minister come down to meet and listen to the voices of workers here in Sabah. It's truly an honour,' he said in a statement. Shahbudin added that the Prime Minister's title of 'Panglima Pekerja' (Champion of Workers) given to Sim was well-deserved, citing the minister's unwavering dedication towards improving the welfare of workers across the country. One of the key highlights praised by the union is the enforcement of the amended Sabah Labour Ordinance 2025, which was officially gazetted on May 1. According to Shahbudin, the amendment had been long-awaited since 2022, and its realisation is seen as a breakthrough for labour rights in the state. 'For years, we have hoped for parity with our counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia. After the first reading in July 2024, followed by the second and third readings, the amendment was passed in Parliament last December. We are thankful to the minister and the ministry for their tireless efforts in making it a reality,' he said. The union also extended appreciation to the Sabah Labour Department for its role in facilitating the legislative reform. In addition, Shahbudin welcomed the introduction of the Madani Workers' Card, which offers discounts of up to 30 per cent on various essentials, a move aimed at easing the cost of living. However, he urged the ministry to expand the range of participating vendors in Sabah to ensure the benefit is felt more widely by local workers. Touching on the issue of minimum wage, Shahbudin expressed concern over the growing frustration among long-serving employees who continue to receive salaries close to or equal to new entrants. 'The introduction of minimum wage is a good step, but the lack of salary differentiation between experienced and new workers has been demoralising for many. This has been happening for years without a concrete solution. We hope the minister will give this matter due attention,' he added. The union also conveyed its gratitude for being appointed as part of the Sabah Labour Advisory Council (SLAC), calling it a major honour and a platform to further contribute to policymaking that benefits workers. 'We believe in the leadership of the minister and are confident that his commitment will continue to bring positive change for workers, ensuring not only their wellbeing but also a more harmonious and conducive work environment,' he said.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Minimum wage not sole indicator of worker welfare, says Sim
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 on Wednesday (May 21). 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. - Bernama
The Star
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Aiming to boost union memberships nationwide
'CLICK TO ENLARGE' PETALING JAYA: Besides initiatives to increase participation of workers in labour unions, workers groups also urged the government to strengthen the enforcement of labour laws to further uphold the rights of workers. Union Network International-Malaysia Labour Centre (UNIMLC) president Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mamal said there are still some employers who avoided paying the new minimum wage of RM1,700, which came into force on Feb 1. He said there are still complaints about employers not paying the minimum wage, not issuing offer letters or failing to pay workers' contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Social Security Organisation (PERKESO). 'I urge the government to ensure stricter enforcement of labour laws to uphold the rights of workers,' he said when contacted. Mohamed Shafie also said that with wider participation of workers in labour unions, there will be greater bargaining power in terms of incomes. He pointed out that awareness on unions now is not as significant as in the past. He said this could be due to more government interventions in ensuring the welfare of workers. 'Back then, workers, through unions, would have to fight for their rights, such as decent wages. 'However, nowadays the government has acknowledged that the quality of life has changed and there is a pressing need for better wages and working conditions,' added Mohamed Shafie, whose association has over 450,000 members across 120 labour unions nationwide. Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs) secretary- general Abdul Rahman Mohd Nordin agreed that workers' bargaining power will increase in tandem with higher unionisation. 'Unions were the ones who would fight for the rights of workers, including the increase in incomes,' he said. He acknowledged that awareness of the benefits of being a unionised worker is lower now compared to decades ago. For this, Abdul Rahman lauded the government's recent announcement of the Madani Workers' Card initiative or Kad Pekerja Madani, which is expected to benefit a million union members nationwide. He said the initiative will not only protect the welfare of workers but also encourage participation in unions. 'The initiative will ensure that workers feel appreciated and encourage them to actively participate in union activities,' he added. Mohamed Shafie Mohamed Shafie concurred, saying that the initiative will not only help reduce the financial burden of low-income workers but also boost the rate of union memberships. 'This is a good move because while it could help reduce the financial burdens of workers, it could also attract workers to join unions,' he said. Members of all labour unions will be able to enjoy up to 30% discounts on about 100 selected services and products through the Madani Workers' Card. The discounts are expected to benefit about one million union members nationwide. According to the Trade Union Affairs Department, there are slightly over one million unionised workers across public, private and statutory bodies nationwide as of 2023. Meanwhile, the Statistics Department's Labour Force survey showed that in 2023, the total labour force was 16.37 million people. This makes the total number of unionised workers in Malaysia only roughly 6% of the total labour force. Khazanah Research Institute in 2022 showed that a higher density of unionisation would translate to better bargaining power for workers. The think-tank had drawn a comparison between Malaysia and Belgium, where half of its labour force is unionised. The high rate of unionisation of Belgian workers showed that they had 96% better bargaining power compared to Malaysia's labour force of just 0.4%. Mohd Shafie urged employers to treat labour unions as partners instead of 'enemies'. 'If this mentality is ingrained among bosses, I believe that we, as a nation, can achieve greater heights,' he said.
Daily Express
03-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Call for national action plan to tackle worker housing
Call for national action plan to tackle worker housing 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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Thursday, 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.
New Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Corporate support grows for Madani workers' card, I-Berhad among early adopters
KUALA LUMPUR: Support for the Madani workers' card initiative—announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Labour Day celebrations—is gaining momentum as more companies come on board to recognise and reward Malaysia's workforce. One of the early corporate adopters is I-Berhad, the master developer behind the 72-acre i-City development in Shah Alam, Selangor. Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong said the Madani workers' card initiative comes at a timely moment, as Malaysians continue to grapple with a rising cost of living. According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), living expenses have been on an upward trend—driven by both global economic uncertainties and domestic policy challenges. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) has identified key contributors to the inflationary pressure this year, including higher prices in food and beverages, accommodation services, personal care, education and insurance and financial services. Economists point to a mix of external shocks and internal structural issues as the root causes behind the persistent rise in household expenses. "Rising living costs have severely impacted low-income households, leaving them with little to no disposable income and, in some cases, struggling to make ends meet," Lim said. Lim confirmed that the company is extending exclusive privileges across its key leisure and hospitality assets. These benefits, offered via the i-City SuperApp, include attractions such as SnoWalk and WynSnow, as well as its trio of hotels—DoubleTree by Hilton, Wyndham Garden, and Wyndham Suites. "At I-Berhad, we view the Madani Workers' Card not only as a national recognition of our workforce but also as a tangible effort to address one of Malaysia's most pressing socioeconomic challenges—income disparity," Lim told Business Times. "We strongly believe that all Malaysians, particularly those from the lower- and middle-income groups, should have access to quality leisure and hospitality experiences. While structural reforms take time, this initiative provides immediate relief—and we are proud to support it." He added that the Madani Workers' Card directly supports I-Berhad's mission of community upliftment and is expected to strengthen the company's resonance with local families and working adults. The Madani workers' card, introduced by the federal government and led by the Human Resources Ministry, provides unionised workers with discounts on a wide range of goods and services. Participating brands include Aeon, Mydin, Jakel, Marrybrown, Genting, OldTown White Coffee, Zus Coffee, Socar and Bateriku. Highlighting the broader vision of the programme, Ministry Secretary General Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof said at the launch, "More than just a discount card, this initiative is about recognising the contribution of Malaysian workers to nation-building and improving their access to lifestyle, health, and family well-being," he said. With over one million workers expected to benefit from the scheme, the partnership could boost weekday visitation, off-peak hotel occupancy, and overall domestic tourism—contributing to more stable, recurring income, a strategic focus for the group. The government's efforts appear to dovetail with I-Berhad's ongoing business transformation. Once a traditional property developer, the group has been actively pivoting toward an asset-led model anchored in sustainable recurring revenue. This includes tighter integration between its i-City SuperApp, physical infrastructure, and tourism-centric offerings. Currently, over 6,500 people work within the i-City ecosystem, including staff across I-Berhad's theme parks, shopping mall, and hotel operations, as well as employees based in major commercial offices such as Mercu Maybank and tenants within Central i-City Mall. Lim said this diverse and growing workforce forms a vital part of the local economy and reinforces i-City's role as a key employment and lifestyle hub in Shah Alam. According to a portfolio manager at a Kuala Lumpur-based investment firm, who requested anonymity, "With strong fundamentals and a national initiative now feeding into its core operations, I-Berhad could see incremental upside in its second quarter earnings, especially if footfall and booking trends hold." In the fiscal year 2024, the company's leisure and hospitality segment posted a 132 per cent increase in profit before tax, while its property division saw profits surge over 500 per cent, backed by strong sales at BeCentral Tower 1 and unbilled sales of RM95.2 million.
