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 […]

FROM drafting documents to analysing performance, generative artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to shape how bosses and employees interact. For many companies, this means rethinking old rules and practices to keep things fair, transparent and legally sound. To get ahead of this shift, the Malaysian Industrial, Commercial and Services Employers Associa-tion (MICSEA) has begun initiatives […]

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has jumped eight spots to 25th position in the IMD World Talent Ranking 2025, reflecting the country’s growing ability to become one of the key destinations for global professionals. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said that in the Asia-Pacific region, Malaysia is ranked fifth, after Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Australia. He said […]

PUTRAJAYA, July 22 — The Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) has opened two investigation papers against a transport company following a bus driver strike at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) in Johor Bahru on Sunday. In a statement today, the ministry said that initial findings by the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) have found […]