PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) will chair the Asean Confederation of Employers (ACE) in the first quarter of this year, following Malaysia's Asean chairmanship, says Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman.
The MEF president said as the chair of ACE, MEF will push for initiatives addressing socio-cultural challenges, such as education access and labour mobility through Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), as well as enhancements in social security coverage and protection.
"MEF chairmanship of ACE in 2025 reflects MEF’s influence in the Asean business and labour ecosystem,” said Syed Hussain.
chairmanship of ACE will also give the opportunity to shape regional policies related to labour, employment, and businesses," he added in a statement on Thursday (Jan 2).
Malaysia officially assumed the Asean chairmanship for 2025 on Wednesday (Jan 1), marking the fifth time since the bloc’s establishment in 1967.
The theme for Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship is “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's chairmanship of Asean comes at a time of various challenges facing the bloc, from economic recovery to geopolitical uncertainties, which require decisive leadership, collaborative solutions, and a commitment to Asean's founding principles of unity and cooperation through consensus building.
“MEF, as the central organisation of private sector employers in the country, will assist the government in ensuring the success of Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean," he said.
Syed Hussain said MEF’s stewardship of ACE provides an opportunity for MEF to advocate for progressive employment practices within Asean, including workplace modernisation, digital transformation, and sustainability.
"MEF will lead initiatives within ACE on preparing Asean’s workforce for Industry 4.0 and addressing challenges such as the future of work, gig economy, and youth employability," he said.
Under MEF's chairmanship of ACE, Syed Hussain added that MEF will lead initiatives for greater collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Organisation of Employers (IOE), and Asean, to harmonise labour standards and practices across Asean, which will enable greater economic integration and cross-border investments.
"MEF is also well-positioned to address the challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and less-developed Asean economies, ensuring inclusive growth," he said, adding that MEF will also represent Asean employers at the ILO and IOE.
MEF’s leadership of ACE, he added, aligns with Asean’s aspirations to position itself as a hub for talent development and innovation.
"MEF will push for initiatives that will make Malaysia's commitment to regional solidarity and sustainable development into reality in Asean."
"MEF chairmanship of ACE for the period 2025/2027 provides the strategic platform to push for relevant changes in labour and economic policies across Asean," he added.
ACE was established in 1978 to optimise cooperation and representation in the field of labour and social legislation, industrial relations, and practices among Asean employers and in relation to the international community.
ACE brings together ten employer organisations in Asean, namely; National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei Darussalam (NCCIBD), Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations (CAMFEBA), Employers' Association of Indonesia (APINDO), Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), Union of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), Employers Confederation of Thailand (ECOT), and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
Syed Hussain, who is also the Confederation of Asia Pacific Employers (Cape) chairperson, said he is in a pivotal position to assist Malaysia during its tenure as the Asean chairmanship, in shaping a better business environment both at the Asean level and across the Asia Pacific.
