PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) is set to chair the Asean Confederation of Employers (ACE) in the first quarter of this year as Malaysia holds the Asean chair, says Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman (pic).
The MEF president said that as the chair of ACE, the group will push for initiatives that address pressing socio-cultural challenges, such as education access, labour mobility through Mutural Recognition Agreements (MRAs), and social security coverage and protection enhancements.
“MEF’s chairmanship of ACE in 2025 reflects its influence in the Asean business and labour ecosystem.
“It will also give (us) the opportunity to shape regional policies related to labour, employment and business,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Malaysia on Wednesday officially assumed the Asean chairmanship for 2025, marking the fifth time since the bloc’s establishment in 1967.
The theme for Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship is “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
Syed Hussain said Malaysia’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 added.
Syed Hussain said MEF’s stewardship of ACE provides an opportunity for it 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, the gig economy and youth employability,” he said.
Under MEF’s chairmanship of ACE, Syed Hussain added that it will lead initiatives for greater collaborations with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Organisation of Employers (IOE), and Asean, to harmonise labour standards and practices across the region, which would enable greater economic integration and cross-border investments.
“MEF is also well positioned to address the challenges faced by micro, small and medium 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, also aligns with Asean’s aspirations to position itself as a hub for talent development and innovation.
“We will push for initiatives that would make Malaysia’s commitment to regional solidarity and sustainable development into reality in 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.It brings together 10 employer organisations in Asean, including the MEF, National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations, and Employers’ Association of Indonesia.
