Latest news with #WongShuQi
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LAWA 2025 Marks 10th Anniversary with New Awards for Schools, Universities, and Changemakers
PETALING JAYA, Malaysia, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), the strategic think tank under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), today announced the launch of the LIFE AT WORK Awards 2025 (LAWA 2025), commemorating its 10th anniversary with a renewed commitment to recognise outstanding employers and institutions that champion progressive workplace practices, sustainability, inclusivity, and talent development in Malaysia. Under this year's theme, "Driving Inclusivity, Powering Sustainability," LAWA 2025 introduces three new award categories recognising the important role of schools, universities, and changemakers in shaping a future-ready and inclusive workforce. During her opening remarks, Chairperson of TalentCorp's Board of Directors, YB Ms Wong Shu Qi, announced the new award categories, "LAWA 2025 aims to drive change by not only recognising sustainability and inclusivity efforts within the industry, but also by extending recognition to schools and universities. To this end, LAWA 2025 introduces two new awards for academic institutions, highlighting their role in shaping students into future talents," she said. TalentCorp Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Thomas Mather, in his welcoming remarks, highlighted that, when LAWA was introduced in 2013, their focus was clear – to support employers in embracing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as part of how they evolved. "At TalentCorp, we encourage firms and organisations to embrace work-life practices in the workplace. By adopting these principles, we believe they can enhance employee well-being, improve work quality, boost productivity, and foster a positive workplace culture that supports diversity and inclusion," he said. The LAWA 2025 will recognise employers in the following 13 categories with 33 awards to be given for: Best Organisation Award CEO Champion CHRO Champion Women At Work & Leadership Young Graduates Employee Care & Well-being Talent Sustainability Workplace Innovation Corporate Social Responsibility Digital & Tech Excellence Future-Ready University & College (NEW) Future-Ready School (NEW) Changemakers: NGO, NPO, MSME & Others (NEW) LAWA has grown significantly since its inception. In 2024, the awards saw record-breaking participation with over 713 submissions from more than 200 organisations. These submissions represented a diverse range of entities, including public-listed companies (PLCs), multinational corporations (MNCs), small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and public sector organisations. Following a rigorous evaluation process, a total of 38 awards were presented across 14 categories, celebrating excellence and commitment in key areas such as sustainability, inclusivity, and talent development. Submissions for the LIFE AT WORK Awards 2025 (LAWA 2025) are open to all employers in Malaysia from 20 June to 3 August 2025. Judging will take place throughout August and September 2025, and the winners will be revealed and celebrated at the LAWA 2025 Awards Ceremony in October. For more information and to participate in LAWA 2025, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad Sign in to access your portfolio
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Move to boost women hires catching on
KUALA LUMPUR: Government tax incentives aimed at encouraging the hiring of women returning to the workforce and promoting flexible work policies are gaining traction among employers, said TalentCorp chairperson Wong Shu Qi. Wong said although official data has yet to be released, the agency has seen a surge in enquiries from companies keen to take advantage of the incentives. 'Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced additional 50% tax incentives under Budget 2025 to encourage employers to hire women returning to work, adopt flexible work arrangements and provide paid caregiver leave. 'However, these incentives are in the process of being gazetted before full implementation.' She said to close the gender pay gap, the government is offering a one-year income tax exemption for women re-entering the workforce, part of a broader push to boost female labour participation. Speaking after launching Malaysia's first Women's Empowerment Principles (WEP) Corporate Action Lab yesterday, Wong said the policy would remain in place until 2027 as part of ongoing efforts. 'We will be announcing the full incentive mechanism soon. Once that is in place, more companies will come forward and we will be able to collect clearer data on women returning to work.' Earlier, theSun reported a need for greater salary transparency and stricter enforcement of fair pay to address gender wage disparities. Women's Aid Organisation executive director Nazreen Nizam highlighted that the absence of legislation mandating equal pay for work of equal value has allowed gender wage gaps to persist unchecked across various sectors. She stressed that Malaysia must roll out clear legal frameworks, backed by enforcement and penalties, to ensure pay equity. Wong said narrowing the gender pay gap is not the sole responsibility of any one agency as it also requires active participation from the private sector. 'A wide pay gap not only hampers economic growth but also shifts hidden costs to families. Tax relief policies are a start but they must be part of a broader strategy. 'There is no one-size-fits-all solution but businesses must understand that hiring more women delivers long-term returns. Failing to do so ultimately hurts the economy and individual companies.' She also reaffirmed TalentCorp's commitment to building pathways that empower women to balance careers and caregiving, aligned with the national target of 60% female labour participation. UN Women, LeadWomen and TalentCorp have launched the WEP, which is an initiative to guide companies in adopting gender-responsive strategies and creating more equitable workplaces. 'Malaysia's female labour participation has remained stagnant at around 56%. We have been working with policymakers and partners to push that number forward,' said Wong. Australian High Commission to Malaysia political and economic counsellor Clare Gatehouse said the proportion of women in senior management and board roles dropped from 40.4% in 2023 to 36.5% this year. 'Despite equal or higher levels of education, Malaysian women earn about 80% of what men make in similar roles.' To support change, Australia has worked with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to strengthen Malaysia's care economy, including by developing policies to improve the quality of care services for workers and users. 'Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri believes family-friendly workplaces and a strong care sector are crucial to achieving gender parity. Without focused action, we will not see these numbers improve,' she said.
