Latest news with #StateHumanResources
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Perak offers RM5,000 aid for trade union formation to empower workers
IPOH: The Perak government aims to encourage about 10 per cent of public and private sector workers to form trade unions in the state within the next three years as part of efforts to empower workers' rights and safeguard their welfare. State Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said Perak is the first state to provide a special allocation of RM5,000 to help workers set up their unions. 'In Perak, out of 1.25 million workers, only a small number have joined unions. The membership rate in this state is lower than the national average of eight per cent. 'Unions are established in workplaces to ensure industrial harmony. If there is a union, workers can negotiate for salary adjustments every two years, as well as for health benefits and leave-related matters,' he told a press conference here today. He said union formation should now be easier following the 2023 amendments to the Trade Unions Act 1959, but many employers remain fearful and are reluctant to allow their workers to form unions. To facilitate union formation, Sivanesan said the state Trade Union Affairs Department has been instructed to represent the state government and assist the workers. 'When a pro-tem committee is formed but has yet to be registered with the Trade Union Affairs Department, it requires funding to carry out its activities, as it is not permitted to collect money. That's why the Perak state government will provide the funds. 'The funds will be used to help workers establish unions. I hope this will benefit at least 1.1 million workers who are currently not union members or have no union at their workplaces,' he said. He said that union formation is crucial as Perak is expected to have around 30,000 new workers in the future due to upcoming industrial projects in Proton City, Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LUMIC), Bagan Datuk, Chemor, and Kinta Industrial Park. - Bernama
Barnama
22-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Perak Offers RM5,000 To Support Union Formation
IPOH, July 22 (Bernama) -- The Perak government aims to encourage about 10 per cent of public and private sector workers to form trade unions in the state within the next three years as part of efforts to empower workers' rights and safeguard their welfare. State Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said Perak is the first state to provide a special allocation of RM5,000 to help workers set up their unions. 'In Perak, out of 1.25 million workers, only a small number have joined unions. The membership rate in this state is lower than the national average of eight per cent. 'Unions are established in workplaces to ensure industrial harmony. If there is a union, workers can negotiate for salary adjustments every two years, as well as for health benefits and leave-related matters,' he told a press conference here today. He said union formation should now be easier following the 2023 amendments to the Trade Unions Act 1959, but many employers remain fearful and are reluctant to allow their workers to form unions. To facilitate union formation, Sivanesan said the state Trade Union Affairs Department has been instructed to represent the state government and assist the workers. 'When a pro-tem committee is formed but has yet to be registered with the Trade Union Affairs Department, it requires funding to carry out its activities, as it is not permitted to collect money. That's why the Perak state government will provide the funds. 'The funds will be used to help workers establish unions. I hope this will benefit at least 1.1 million workers who are currently not union members or have no union at their workplaces,' he said. He said that union formation is crucial as Perak is expected to have around 30,000 new workers in the future due to upcoming industrial projects in Proton City, Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LUMIC), Bagan Datuk, Chemor, and Kinta Industrial Park.
Barnama
22-07-2025
- Health
- Barnama
No New ASF Cases In Perak, Pig Farms Continue Operations
IPOH, July 22 (Bernama) -- The Perak government has confirmed that no new cases of African swine fever (ASF) have been reported since 2024, indicating that the situation remains under control despite a spike in infections in neighbouring Penang. State Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said all pig farms in the state remain operational, noting that pork remains a vital source of protein for the country's non-Muslim population. 'About 26 per cent of the population, roughly eight million people, rely on pork as an alternative protein source. If farms are shut down, these consumers will turn to chicken and fish, which could strain those markets,' he said. ASF was first detected in Perak in wild boars in December 2021, followed by cases at a pig farm in Batang Padang in March 2022 and at the Multi Agriculture farm in Tronoh in October 2023. Between 2022 and 2023, the disease affected 18 farms and 19,335 pigs. Thirteen of those farms have since resumed operations, while five were permanently closed. In 2024, Perak produced 17.4 million kilograms of pork, enough to meet local demand despite ongoing farm restructuring. However, with continued interstate exports, the state still imports pork to meet overall consumption needs. To modernise the sector, Sivanesan will leave for China tomorrow to study advanced pig farming practices. He added that nearly 55 per cent of applications for modern farm planning approval have been approved by local authorities and are currently being processed. On another note, Sivanesan said Perak has recorded only one pertussis (whooping cough) case this year, a two-month-old infant who tested positive after receiving a single dose of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine. This represents a 96.6 per cent decline from the 29 cases reported during the same period in 2024. The infant has since made a full recovery and four close contacts tested negative. No deaths have been reported.
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Perak introduces special module to help PWDs gain employment
TAIPING: The Perak government, through several departments and agencies, has developed a special module to help Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) receive training for suitable employment, thereby enabling them to earn an income. State Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said those interested can register at his office, the Social Welfare Department (JKM), or the Perak Children's Aspiration Centre (Pasak). He said the module offers both short- and long-term courses, with each participant receiving an allowance of RM50 per day. 'Currently, there are about 5,000 unemployed persons with disabilities in Perak. I believe that through these modules, whether short-term (10 days to two weeks) or long-term (over three months), we can help them. 'This is more than just training; it is about creating opportunities for PWDs to start a new chapter in life through a career that boosts their confidence and improves their standard of living,' he said. He said this at a press conference, representing the Perak Menteri Besar, at the opening of the 2nd Malaysian Occupational Therapy Symposium organised by the Ministry of Health (MOH) here today. The event was also attended by MOH's head of Occupational Therapist Profession, Nora Hamid. Sivanesan added that the module is open to all PWDs, regardless of gender, race, or religion. In a separate matter, he said the state government does not reject the proposal to deploy a dedicated team or health personnel to monitor and improve emergency response along the East-West Highway (JRTB). Sivanesan said the proposal was appropriate and would be raised in discussions with the relevant authorities for further consideration. 'It's a proposal we believe is worth implementing. However, for now, the Transport Ministry is working to enhance safety along the JRTB route by installing additional street lights and warning signs. 'Road repair works are also underway by the Public Works Department. In the meantime, I urge all road users to exercise caution and follow all posted warning signs along the route,' he said.
New Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Perak targets October ban on vape, e-cigarette sales
IPOH: The Perak government is targeting a ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes or vape products by October. State Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said a working paper on the matter is being drafted by the Perak State Health Department. "We have instructed the Perak health department, led by its director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha, to ensure that this working paper can be completed as soon as possible. "The working paper will also be brought to the State Executive Council (MMK) to decide on its enforcement, which I am targeting around October," he said. He said this when met after officiating the Orthopaedic Symposium Programme: Latest Developments and Best Practices in the Orthopaedic Field organised by the Perak Community Specialist Hospital (PCSH) at the Kinta River Front Hotel here, today. On June 4, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad explained that the state government is examining the need to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes in Perak. Saarani said the matter had been raised in the MMK, but several matters needed to be refined. Meanwhile, Sivanesan said that although he admitted that the action would cause uneasiness among vape operators, it would benefit the people overall, especially in terms of health. "We are ready (for complaints) about this matter, and for us, what is good for the people we will continue," he said. –BERNAMA
