Latest news with #StevenSim
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
KESUMA to establish one-stop labour service centre in Sabah
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 in Sabah 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 today. Sim said that 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 that 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 also said. Meanwhile, SMSU president Ajulahin Japin said that 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.
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
KESUMA to establish one-stop labour service centre in Sabah, says Sim
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 in Sabah 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 today. Sim said that 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 that 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 also said. Meanwhile, SMSU president Ajulahin Japin said that 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.
The Star
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Unemployed Sabahans can soon seek jobs at one-stop centre set up by HR Ministry
KOTA KINABALU: Job seekers in Sabah will soon no longer need to shuttle between multiple offices, thanks to the setting up of a One-Stop Labour Service Centre to streamline employment services under one roof. The centre, which will be set up by the Human Resources Ministry in the coming months, will bring together various labour-related departments and agencies, including the Labour Department, Industrial Relations Department, Trade Unions Affairs Department, and Social Security Organisation (Socso), allowing workers to access all necessary services in a single location. 'We will set up a One-Stop Labour Service Centre in Sabah. This means all employment matters, can be addressed in one place without workers having to go back and forth between different offices,' Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said in a statement following a recent working visit to the Sabah Medical Services Union (SMSU). Apart from Sabah, three other pilot centres are also planned for Penang, the Klang Valley and Johor Baru, he said. Sim said the initiative's expansion to Sabah marks a significant step towards nationwide implementation. He added that the visit to SMSU was part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to engage with workers directly and strengthen worker protections and welfare across the country. He also expressed his appreciation to SMSU for more than six decades of service in championing the welfare of healthcare workers in Sabah, describing its members as 'frontline heroes' for their sacrifices during the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the ministry's recent key achievements, Sim noted the long-awaited approval of amendments to the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances, delayed for over two decades, which were passed by Parliament last year. 'These amendments align workers' rights and protections across Malaysia, ensuring no one is left behind, especially workers in Sabah and Sarawak,' he said. He credited the success of these legislative reforms to collaborative efforts involving the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), labour unions, state governments and ministry officers, including Sabah Labour director Wan Zulkifli Wan Setapa, who continuously championed the cause. The amended Labour Ordinance (Sabah) 2025 and Labour Ordinance (Sarawak) 2025 came into effect on May 1, 2025, excluding Part IVA which covers minimum standards for workers' housing and amenities. On another note, Sim welcomed the recent establishment of the Sabah Labour Advisory Council on May 13, 2025, and congratulated SMSU president Ajulahin Japin and executive secretary Laurence Vun on their appointments as council members. Ajulahin has also been appointed as a permanent member of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) as of May 1 this year. The NLAC serves as a tripartite platform involving employers, workers, and the government to discuss policies, legislation and labour practices. 'This platform allows the Human Resources Minister to receive input, advice and consensus on matters concerning labour and human capital development in the country,' he said.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah to have one-stop labour service centre
Steven Sim KOTA KINABALU (June 2): The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) will set up a one-stop labour service centre in Sabah. Its minister, Steven Sim Chee Keong, said the new initiative will consolidate various employment-related services under one roof. Sim announced this during a recent working visit to the Sabah Medical Services Union (SMSU) as part of his ministry's ongoing efforts to engage with workers and strengthen labour protections and welfare nationwide. Previously, the minister had outlined plans to set up three pilot centres in Penang, the Klang Valley and Johor Bahru. The Sabah centre marks the latest step in expanding this initiative across the country, with hopes for its realization in the coming months. 'We will create a one-stop centre in Sabah. All worker-related issues — whether involving the Labour Department (JTK), the Department of Industrial Relations (JPPM), the Trade Union Affairs Department (JHEKS), PERKESO, etc.—can be addressed in one place. Workers won't need to go back and forth between different offices,' Sim said in a statement released by KESUMA on Monday. He commended SMSU for its over 60 years of service in advocating for workers' welfare, particularly in Sabah's healthcare sector, praising its members as 'frontline heroes' who sacrificed greatly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sim also highlighted KESUMA's key achievement: the long-delayed approval of the Sabah Labour Ordinance and Sarawak Labour Ordinance, stalled for over 20 years before finally being passed by Parliament in 2024. These amendments, effective from 1 May 2025 (except for Part IVA on minimum housing standards for workers), harmonize labour rights and protections nationwide. 'We cannot let workers in Sabah and Sarawak remain behind in protections. This success was not mine alone but a collective effort — MTUC, trade unions, state governments, and KESUMA officials, including JTK Sabah director Wan Zulkifli Wan Setapa,' he explained. In another milestone, the minister celebrated the establishment of the Sabah Labour Advisory Council (SLAC) on 13 May 2025, congratulating SMSU president Ajulahin Japin and executive secretary Laurence Vun on their SLAC appointments. Ajulahin was also appointed a permanent member of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) starting 1 May 2025. NLAC serves as a tripartite platform (employers, workers, government) advising on labour policies and legislation. To boost union participation, KESUMA launched the MADANI Worker Card, offering 10–30% discounts at selected businesses, with plans to recruit more companies. SMSU also received a 260% increase in 2025 grants (RM111,900 vs. RM33,000 in 2024), reflecting the raised national PHEKS grant allocation from RM2.6 million (2023) to RM10 million (2025). As added support, Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe announced a RM5,000 special allocation for SMSU. The visit underscores KESUMA's commitment to amplifying workers' voices, expanding service access, and embedding MADANI principles in equitable, inclusive labour development nationwide.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
HRD Corp to train 60,000 in Sabah as govt ramps up upskilling for state, says Steven
KOTA KINABALU: The government is ramping up upskilling Sabahans this year, says Steven Sim, starting with HRD Corp's aims to train 60,000 people this year. The Human Resources Minister said this would be a fourfold increase from 15,000 participants in 2024. Speaking at a ministry event with HRD Corp in Pulau Gaya near here, Sim stressed that upskilling Malaysians, especially those in remote areas, is vital for individual empowerment and national development. 'We want every citizen to be equipped with skills that can help them earn a better income. When our people are skilled, the nation progresses too,' he said during the National Training Week (NTW) 2025 event on Sunday (June 1). 'Next week, HRD Corp will launch National Training Week 2025, and we will return to Pulau Gaya to train at least 5,000 residents,' he said. Over 450 residents from Kampung Gaya, Kampung Lok Urai, Kampung Torong Logong, and Kampung Kesuapan participated in the event, attending skills workshops focused on floral entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and dropshipping, alongside motivational talks for students. Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, who also attended, said expanding access to training was key to unlocking employment opportunities and attracting major investments. 'Training like this does not just raise incomes, but also helps transform Sabah's economy and uplift communities,' he said. In line with long-term workforce development, HRD Corp also announced a strategic partnership with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to establish Sabah Human Capital Initiatives and Nurturing Excellence (SHINE), Malaysia's first lifelong learning hub dedicated to research, training, and talent development tailored for Sabah. Deputy HRD Corp chairman Ahsim Jamat expressed hope that the SHINE model will set the standard for human capital development nationwide. The programme also saw the launch of the Industrial and Community Training Collaboration Centre, which included a RM36,000 boost in training equipment support under HRD Corp's Training Equipment and Facility Enhancement Scheme (ALAT) for local tourism industry players. Sim also presented several corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions, including 700 life jackets for daily boat passengers, food baskets for 300 families, and a RM20,000 donation to the parent-teacher associations of SMK and SK Pulau Gaya. Also present were Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, UMS registrar Luqman Ridha Anwar, and Jesselton University College president Professor Dr Chin Yuk Fong.
