KUALA LUMPUR: Changes to legal frameworks are a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of the Malaysian workforce, says Steven Sim (pic).
The Human Resources Minister said that the ministry has helmed several changes policies pertaining to labour force which included the introduction of flexible working arrangements (FWA), anti-discrimination protection, better protection against sexual harassment, among others.
“Earlier this year, when Singapore announced they would be introducing FWA in December, many Malaysian workers began criticising the Malaysian Government for not doing what the Singaporeans did.
“So, I quickly corrected the impression and said that last year, we enforced new Section 60P and 60Q of the Employment Act 1955 to allow employees to apply for FWA on hours of work, days of work or place of work and the employers are obligated to reply within 60 days.
“It is almost the same as the Singaporean model, except that we have done it in January 2023 while Singapore will only be doing it later this year,” he said during the Life at Work Awards (Lawa) 2024 on Wednesday (Nov 20).
For the ninth edition, Lawa 2024 recognised a total of 38 winners, comprising companies and individuals, for their efforts in advocating for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
Themed “Celebrating Excellence in DEI for a Sustainable Work, Workplace, and Workforce,” the award – organised by TalentCorp Malaysia (TalentCorp) – spotlighted the increasing emphasis on inclusive and environmentally responsible strategies in workforce development.
Sim underscored the alignment of Lawa with the Malaysia Madani vision, which aims for an inclusive society and economy.
He said that such initiatives are pivotal in achieving the targeted 60% women’s workforce participation as per the Madani Economy framework, which is crucial for equity and economic growth.
The award this year received a record high participation with over 200 organisations and 713 award submissions from various sectors including public-listed companies, multinational corporations, small and medium enterprises, and public organisations.
TalentCorp chairman Wong Shu Qi reiterated the agency’s commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces.
“Employers who prioritise today’s talent needs will experience benefits such as higher productivity, lower turnover, and stronger business outcomes,” she said.
Among the winners included Sunway Group for Best Public Listed Organisation, Zuspresso (M) Sdn Bhd for Best Private Limited Organisation, Micron Memory Malaysia Sdn Bhd for Best International Organisation, Central Force International Sdn Bhd for Best Small & Medium Organisation, and Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera for Best Public Sector Organisation.
The award ceremony was attended by over 750 guests including Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad along with senior officials, industry leaders, and award finalists.
