KUALA LUMPUR: Sugar-related ailments, such as diabetes, are costing the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) about US$100mil (RM421mil) in annual payouts. The Human Resources Minister highlighted PERKESO’s efforts in actively addressing occupational safety and health matters, with a strong commitment to contributing to the prevention of workplace mishaps. “We also conduct free medical checks to ensure […]

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — Amendments to the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) to introduce 24-hour protection for workers under the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) are scheduled to be tabled in the upcoming Parliament session. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said the amendment is crucial to ensure workers remain protected beyond […]

PETALING JAYA:  Employers should not be made solely responsible for bearing the cost of providing protection to foreign workers, an industrial group said in calling for a fairer approach. The Malaysian Industrial, Commercial and Service Employers Association (MICSEA) said while workers’ welfare was a priority, placing the entire cost of insurance, medical coverage, welfare, and […]

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Industrial, Commercial and Service Employers Association (MICSEA) has called for a more equitable and transparent system to safeguard the welfare of foreign workers. Its president, YK Lai, said that while worker welfare is a priority, the financial responsibility cannot fall solely on employers. “Placing the entire cost of insurance, medical coverage, […]

GEORGE TOWN, April 22 — Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has called on Penang’s semiconductor and advanced technology industries to reimagine the state’s future amid global economic uncertainty, urging a bold shift from a traditional manufacturing hub to a high-value, innovation-driven economy. In a statement yesterday, the Human Resources Ministry outlined a vision […]

August 25 – In 2020, palm oil produced by Malaysian giant Sime Darby, the world’s biggest producer of palm oil certified by Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, was banned from the U.S. after its Customs and Border Protection flagged forced labour in its supply chain. International brands including Kraft Heinz, Nestle and Unilever shunned the supplier in […]

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 19): Applications for the employment quota of foreign workers in three main sectors — agriculture, plantations and mining — as well as in 10 selected subsectors on a case-by-case basis, are now open until Dec 31. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that for the agriculture, plantation and mining sectors, […]

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a landmark move under its ASEAN Chairmanship, Malaysia will open its flagship National Training Week (NTW) to all ASEAN citizens for the first time, offering over 65,000 free training opportunities across the country and online from 14-21 June 2025. The Honourable Mr Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of […]

KEPALA BATAS (Sept 6): The Ministry of Human Resources’ (Kesuma) one-stop labour centre, which consolidates all the ministry’s key services under one roof, is set to be expanded nationwide by the end of this year. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said that the one-stop centre aims to streamline service delivery for employees, employers, and unions, […]

MALAYSIA’S small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the backbone of the economy, are entering the second half of 2025 (2H25) under mounting pressure from rising costs, regulatory burdens and labour shortages, even as many remain cautiously optimistic about growth prospects.  In separate statements last week, the Malaysian Industrial, Commercial and Service Employers Association (MICSEA) and the Small […]