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The Sun
04-08-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Human Resources Ministry reviews 28 outdated labour laws in Malaysia
KOTA KINABALU: The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) has initiated a comprehensive review of 28 labour laws to modernise outdated provisions and align them with current best practices. Minister Steven Sim announced the move, highlighting key legislations such as the Employment Act 1955, the Sabah Labour Ordinance, and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance, some of which date back to pre-independence. 'We must understand that the labour and human resources sector is one of the oldest and most historical in our governance. Some of our labour laws date back decades. The Employment Act is from 1955, the Sabah Labour Ordinance from the 1960s, and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance from the 1950s. So, all these need to be revisited and reviewed,' Sim said. He spoke to reporters after attending the Sabah state-level Trade Union Day gathering, officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Also present were Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) president Datuk Dr Adnan Mat and Department of Trade Union Affairs (JHEKS) director-general Mohd Asri Abdul Wahab. Sim cited an example of an outdated provision that was recently amended—the Sabah Labour Ordinance's ban on women working night shifts, which was repealed last year. 'We may not be able to complete the review within this year, but we will try our best to ensure our labour laws are up to date and aligned with current best practices,' he added. When asked if the government plans to abolish the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances and merge them under the Employment Act, Sim clarified that no such plans exist. 'The intention is to harmonise and align the rights of all workers. However, the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances include provisions and consultation processes with the state governments that are not found in the Employment Act,' he explained. In addition to the labour law review, KESUMA is set to table the landmark Gig Workers Bill in Parliament this month, aiming to extend legal protections to gig economy workers. - Bernama
Daily Express
04-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Government affirms trade unions as development partners
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim with the trade unions' representatives. - Pic by CMD The State Government recognises trade unions as strategic partners in shaping an inclusive and forward-looking development agenda, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Speaking at the state-level Trade Union Day at ITCC, Hajiji stressed the importance of unions in areas beyond wages, including policy-making, education, and technology adoption. He said the government remains committed to supporting the trade union movement and creating a fair, sustainable employment ecosystem that benefits all Sabahans. Hajiji described the assembly as a landmark event signalling a new chapter for structured and inclusive unionism under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan. He noted that Sabah recorded over 1.7 million in labour force last year, contributing to a GDP of RM84.3 billion through sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services. There are currently 92 registered trade unions in the state with over 60,000 members across the government, private, and statutory sectors, he added. Hajiji urged union leaders to champion workers' welfare and to make Sabah's voice heard at the national Trade Union Assembly in Penang this September. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
Hajiji hails trade unions as key strategic partners of Sabah govt
KOTA KINABALU: Trade unions play an important role as strategic partners in the government's policy formulation and development of a sustainable work environment, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. "Within a new and more inclusive development framework, the voice of unions must be heard and given serious attention," he said at the Sabah-level Trade Union Day event here on Monday (Aug 4). "This applies not only to issues of wages and benefits, but also in policy formulation, economic planning, education, technology adaptation, and the creation of a sustainable future work environment. "I believe Sabah has the potential to become a model state in Malaysia in developing an employment ecosystem that not only drives a strong economy but also consistently upholds workers' rights." Human Resources Minister Steven Sim also attended the event. The Chief Minister said the state government is committed to empowering the workforce, supporting the trade union movement, and ensuring their members' welfare is protected. "I hope this assembly will serve as a platform to strengthen the spirit of unionism and working together to build a brighter future for Sabah," he said. Hajiji said the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development agenda places a key focus on several critical priorities, including strengthening strategic cooperation with the Human Resources Ministry. "This is crucial to expanding social protection and security coverage to all workers, including those in the often-overlooked informal sector. "We want to ensure that every Sabahan, whether in rural or urban areas, is given a fair opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the state's development," he added. Hajiji said the state recorded a labour force of over 1.7 million last year, and the collective contribution of this workforce has driven Sabah's gross domestic product (GDP) to increase to RM84.3bil. "This... (is) particularly in critical sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying, as well as services. "In terms of the latest trade union data in Sabah, as of today, there are 92 registered trade unions in the state, regulated by the Sabah Trade Union Affairs Department. "This involves a total membership of 60,764 workers, with 22,317 members from the government sector, 35,194 from the private sector, and 3,253 from statutory bodies," he said.
