2 million Sabah workers to benefit
Published on: Saturday, September 07, 2024
By: Mardinah Jikur
Sim said the Ministry (Kesuma) has funds amounting to approximately RM2.6 billion in terms of resources for skill improvement and human capital development. - Bernama pic
SANDAKAN: About two million workers in Sabah will receive benefits such as maternity and paternity leaves, flexible working hours and enjoy the same anti-discrimination rights as workers in the peninsula if the amendment to the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Sabah Chapter 67) is approved in Parliament.
The first reading was proposed in the Dewan Rakyat last July and the second reading will be made at the next meeting.
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Minister of Human Resources, Steven Sim Chee Keong, said the historic amendment, which has been worked on for almost 20 years, will also standardise the rights and protection of workers in Sabah with Peninsular Malaysia under the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265).
He expressed appreciation to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor for supporting the amendment.
Sim said the Ministry (Kesuma) has funds amounting to approximately RM2.6 billion in terms of resources for skill improvement and human capital development.
“The funds, including contributions from HRD Corp and TalentCorp, will be used to invest in human capital, ensuring our workforce is equipped to meet emerging challenges like artificial intelligence (AI),” he told reporters after attending the “Future Workforce in Sustainable Agriculture” forum, here, Friday.
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He urged employers and youths in Sabah to take advantage of the RM60 million allocated by HRD Corp for the State this year, aimed at cultivating a skilled workforce in sectors such as agriculture.
“In Sandakan alone, HRD Corp has made RM6 million available to support training programmes for local youths,” he said.
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He also encouraged companies to participate in the Academy in Industry (ADI) programme, which aims to nurture home-grown talent and build a sustainable, highly skilled future workforce.
“We’re offering incentives for companies to hire and provide 12 to 18 months of training for employees,” he said.
Sim said the Ministry plans to further expand and enhance the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, especially within Kesuma, to offer industry-relevant skills courses.
Currently, Sim said, Kesuma is also making a report on the effects of AI, green technology and the challenges of globalisation for workers involved in related sectors today.
He said the study would provide a strategic framework for tackling the challenges of the 21st-century economy and help prepare for workforce upskilling in sectors affected by these technological advancements.
“The report will give us a clear picture of the outlook for certain jobs over the next three to five years.”
He said the findings will also guide efforts to address skill gaps and create new opportunities in line with the development of AI.
“As AI brings new roles into the workforce, we’ll focus on providing relevant training that will help Malaysian workers thrive in this era of digitalisation and the green economy,” he added.
Earlier, Sim witnessed the handing over of industrial training offer letters to students from employers as well as the handing over of letters of intent (LOI) for cooperation with key partners to advance skill training while developing the future workforce in the sustainable agriculture sector in Sabah.
The LOI involved the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), the Sabah Agriculture Department (SAD) and the East Malaysia Growers Association (Empa).
This also marks an important achievement for the State, where a cooperative relationship between HRD Corp, UMS, SAD and Empa has been signed to meet the needs of Sabah’s growing agricultural sector.
The LOI is also a symbol of joint efforts in an effort to form a workforce that is ready to strengthen and develop the sustainable agriculture sector in the State.
Also present were Sandakan MP Vivian Wong, HRD Corp Deputy Chairman Ahsim Jamat, Chief Executive Datuk Wira Shahul Dawood and UMS Registrar Luqman Ridha Anwar.
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