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KESUMA Urges Workers Paid Below RM1,700 To Report To Labour Dept
KESUMA Urges Workers Paid Below RM1,700 To Report To Labour Dept

Barnama

time23-06-2025

  • Business
  • Barnama

KESUMA Urges Workers Paid Below RM1,700 To Report To Labour Dept

PUTRAJAYA, June 23 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) has urged employees earning less than the RM1,700 minimum wage to promptly lodge a complaint with the Department of Labour (JTK). It said all parties are required to comply with minimum wage regulations to protect the welfare and rights of workers in the country and warned that legal action would be taken against any violation of the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 (Act 732). Referring to a media report alleging that tour bus drivers were only receiving a basic salary of RM700 a month without fixed allowances, the ministry explained that under the Minimum Wages Order (PGM) 2024, which is currently in force, employers are required to ensure that workers receive a minimum wage of RM1,700 per month, regardless of whether this is through a basic salary structure or total monthly earnings. 'If the employer stipulates a basic salary in the contract of service, the rate must not be less than the prevailing minimum wage. 'If the contract does not state a basic salary, the employer must ensure that the monthly wage paid is not less than the prevailing minimum wage, excluding other allowances. PGM 2024 also applies to part-time workers,' it said in a statement today. KESUMA said JTK will step up monitoring and enforcement action on complaints or wage deduction violations that contravene the PGM. If a worker's complaint is upheld in court, the employer may be ordered to pay the wage difference and any affected allowances, in accordance with Section 44 of Act 732. A news portal on June 21 reported that express and tour bus drivers were earning as little as RM700 in basic salary per month, with some not receiving any base pay at all. The situation has reportedly forced them to rely on travel allowances and overtime just to make ends meet, sacrificing rest days and working nearly every day.

After migrant protest, Human Resources Ministry warns of licence revocation for non-compliant worker hostels
After migrant protest, Human Resources Ministry warns of licence revocation for non-compliant worker hostels

Malay Mail

time22-06-2025

  • Malay Mail

After migrant protest, Human Resources Ministry warns of licence revocation for non-compliant worker hostels

BUKIT MERTAJAM, June 22 — The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) will not hesitate to revoke the operating licences of Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) and Temporary Labour Quarters (TLQ) if operators fail to comply with the provisions under the Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446). Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the warning followed a commotion involving a group of foreign workers at a TLQ operating in a hotel here on Friday, which caused unease among local residents. He said Act 446 stipulated the provision of suitable housing and basic amenities for foreign workers, but that employers must also prioritise workers' welfare, safety, and discipline to avoid negative impacts on the surrounding community. 'CLQs and TLQs are meant to centralise the accommodation of foreign workers so that it doesn't affect local neighbourhoods. So it's very important to have this system. I have discussed this matter with the operators of such facilities. 'I've also issued a reminder to ensure that workers' welfare is safeguarded and that their presence does not disturb the community. If they fail, I will not hesitate to instruct the Labour Department (JTK) and local authorities (PBT) to revoke their licences,' he said at a press conference here today. Also present were Penang Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye and Penang Labour Department deputy director A. Thanavalli. Sim said the foreign worker permits of the companies involved could also be cancelled, stressing that such actions were not meant to be punitive against industries or employers, but to ensure they understood the consequences of failing to manage their workers responsibly. He added that the hotel in Bukit Mertajam had been approved by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) to operate as a TLQ until 2027, and had also obtained certification from the Labour Department. A total of 1,113 migrant workers were housed at the TLQ — comprising 946 from Bangladesh, 129 from Nepal and 38 from Myanmar. Sim said the incident last Friday night occurred when a group of migrant workers gathered outside the premises to protest against a TLQ supervisor who had allegedly collected money from them for certain purposes without the company's knowledge. He said the case was being investigated by the police, and JTK was also conducting checks to ensure compliance with Act 446. Earlier, the media reported that police arrested 46 foreign men following the disturbance outside the hotel used as a workers' hostel. — Bernama

RM1.5 million PHEKS grant approved for Northern Zone unions
RM1.5 million PHEKS grant approved for Northern Zone unions

The Sun

time22-06-2025

  • Business
  • The Sun

RM1.5 million PHEKS grant approved for Northern Zone unions

BUTTERWORTH: The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) has approved 124 applications for the Union Affairs Development Grant (PHEKS), amounting to RM1.5 million, for the Northern Zone, covering Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said this included 26 approved applications worth RM261,988 in Penang; 21 applications worth RM384,670 in Kedah; 15 applications valued at RM211,569 in Perlis; and 52 applications in Perak involving RM656,722. 'Overall, a total of 1,049 PHEKS applications were received this year from various trade unions nationwide, of which 551 applications amounting to RM7.15 million were approved,' he said. 'I hope this allocation will be put to good use to strengthen our unions,' he said at the Northern Zone PHEKS 2025 assistance presentation ceremony here today, which was also attended by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. This year, the government allocated RM10 million for the implementation of PHEKS, the highest in history, compared with RM5.8 million last year. A total of RM7.15 million was distributed to trade unions under approved clusters, while RM2.85 million was allocated for the outreach and community service programmes. Sim added that his ministry is targeting two million union members nationwide by the end of this year. He expressed confidence in reaching the target, noting that the number of new trade unions formed last year was five times higher than in previous years. He said the MADANI Worker Card initiative has also helped boost trade union membership, which currently stands at one million, by offering discounts of up to 30 per cent at over 200 companies providing essential goods and services to registered members. The PHEKS is a one-off financial aid provided to registered trade unions in Malaysia through the Department of Trade Union Affairs (JHEKS) under the KESUMA to support union-related activities. Trade unions may apply for assistance under five designated clusters: Training and Education; Trade Union Movement Studies; Academic Writing on Labour Issues; purchase of IT equipment such as for the digitalisation of union management records.

KESUMA Approves RM1.5 Million For Northern Zone PHEKS
KESUMA Approves RM1.5 Million For Northern Zone PHEKS

Barnama

time22-06-2025

  • Business
  • Barnama

KESUMA Approves RM1.5 Million For Northern Zone PHEKS

BUTTERWORTH, June 22 (Bernama) -- The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) has approved 124 applications for the Union Affairs Development Grant (PHEKS), amounting to RM1.5 million, for the Northern Zone, covering Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said this included 26 approved applications worth RM261,988 in Penang; 21 applications worth RM384,670 in Kedah; 15 applications valued at RM211,569 in Perlis; and 52 applications in Perak involving RM656,722. 'Overall, a total of 1,049 PHEKS applications were received this year from various trade unions nationwide, of which 551 applications amounting to RM7.15 million were approved,' he said. 'I hope this allocation will be put to good use to strengthen our unions,' he said at the Northern Zone PHEKS 2025 assistance presentation ceremony here today, which was also attended by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. This year, the government allocated RM10 million for the implementation of PHEKS, the highest in history, compared with RM5.8 million last year. A total of RM7.15 million was distributed to trade unions under approved clusters, while RM2.85 million was allocated for the outreach and community service programmes. Sim added that his ministry is targeting two million union members nationwide by the end of this year. He expressed confidence in reaching the target, noting that the number of new trade unions formed last year was five times higher than in previous years. He said the MADANI Worker Card initiative has also helped boost trade union membership, which currently stands at one million, by offering discounts of up to 30 per cent at over 200 companies providing essential goods and services to registered members. The PHEKS is a one-off financial aid provided to registered trade unions in Malaysia through the Department of Trade Union Affairs (JHEKS) under the KESUMA to support union-related activities.

KESUMA, Penang To Partner On Talent Pipeline For Chip Design, High-tech Sectors
KESUMA, Penang To Partner On Talent Pipeline For Chip Design, High-tech Sectors

Barnama

time19-06-2025

  • Business
  • Barnama

KESUMA, Penang To Partner On Talent Pipeline For Chip Design, High-tech Sectors

GEORGE TOWN, June 19 (Bernama) -- The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) is finalising a strategic collaboration with the Penang government to strengthen the local talent pipeline by producing more engineers through the Penang Chip Design Academy (PCDA). Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said the academy, established by the state government, is aimed at advancing Penang's semiconductor and high-tech sectors, with KESUMA poised to add value to the initiative. 'PCDA was created to develop human capital, young people and workers, for the semiconductor and high-tech industries. 'KESUMA wants to explore how we can support the state's skill training programmes to drive this sector forward,' he told reporters after launching the National Training Week (NTW) 2025 Northern Region roadshow here today. Penang launched the academy last year as part of efforts to strengthen integrated circuit (IC) design and digital development, aligning with the state's plans to build a thriving IC design ecosystem and digital economy hub. Sim also announced a strategic partnership between the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) and the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) under the Advanced Technology Meister Programme (ATMP). 'Through this initiative, we are introducing a matching grant programme to help local industries enhance workforce skills in advanced technology,' he said. Employers will be able to co-develop training programmes with learning institutions of their choice, supported by funding from both HRD Corp via its levy system, as well as NCIA under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12). Sims aid the initiative reflects the government's commitment to building a highly skilled workforce and achieving the national target of 30 per cent skilled labour by 2030.

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