PUTRAJAYA, May 1 – Human Resources Minister V.Sivakumar has urged Malaysian employees to continue to raise their skills and work competencies in order to meet the increasingly challenging work environment.
Speaking at the Labour Day celebration held here today, he said while the government will continue with its part to ensure policies and implementation of measures to safeguard the interests of workers including better salaries, their safety, health and extension of benefits to family members, workers must also continue to equip themselves with the latest information and skills to remain relevant and competitive in their respective industries.
This will also help Malaysia meet its target of having at least 35 percent of skilled workers in the country to meet the growing requirements of various industries in line with changing work trends and needs.
On Sunday, Sivakumar said his ministry was also looking at several amendments to the process of recognising workers’ unions to provide employees a platform to air their grievances.
He said there were some employers who have refused to recognise the unions in their companies and the government will address this.
Speaking at an event organised by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) in conjunction with Labour Day, he said other matters the government was looking into included the possibility of pension for the private sector, health schemes and insurance for workers.
Meanwhile, more than 3,000 workers from the public and private sector joined Monday’s Labour Day celebration here, which was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Other Cabinet ministers at the event included Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fahmi Fadzil.
–WE