Latest news with #MEF
Barnama
5 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
- Reimagining Malaysia's Labour Trend Through TVET and Modernisation
18/07/2025 09:58 AM Opinions on topical issues from thought leaders, columnists and editors. By Assoc Prof Dr Wan Sallha Yusoff and Ahmad Nizam Che Kasim The debate about Malaysians avoiding 3D jobs, which refers to dangerous, dirty and difficult work, has been going on for years. Many people still believe that the main reason is low wages. However, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has pointed out that the deeper issue is social stigma. These jobs are often looked down upon, and many Malaysians consider them to be low-status work. In reality, sectors such as construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and cleaning services are now heavily filled by foreign workers. The Department of Statistics Malaysia reported that by 2024, nearly 1.8 million registered foreign workers were working in these areas. This dependency exposes our economy to serious risks, especially when unexpected events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, disrupt labour supply. A rethink needed Malaysia must urgently rethink its approach to the labour market. One important solution is to modernise these industries. We need to introduce automation, improve safety standards, and use smart tools to reduce the physical strain of such work. Countries like Japan and South Korea have successfully transformed their farming and construction sectors by using technology, making these fields more attractive to their younger generation. Beyond modernisation, we must reform how we educate and train our people. This is where Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) becomes critical. TVET can equip Malaysians with essential skills such as machinery operation, welding, smart farming techniques, and industrial maintenance. If we align TVET programmes with the actual needs of industries, young Malaysians will be better prepared to take on these roles. It is also important to change how society views these jobs. Recognising TVET graduates as skilled professionals TVET graduates should be recognised as skilled professionals who are valuable to the economy. Clear career paths, work-based learning, fair pay, and opportunities for growth will help these sectors become more appealing. In addition, offering proper incentives, such as competitive salaries, insurance coverage, and lifelong learning opportunities, can motivate locals to join and remain in these industries. Public awareness campaigns can also play a part in changing outdated mindsets and showing that these jobs are meaningful and respected. If Malaysia truly wants to reduce its reliance on foreign labour, we must take action now. By modernising industries and strengthening TVET education, we can build a skilled Malaysian workforce that is proud to drive the nation's economic progress. -- BERNAMA Assoc Prof Dr Wan Sallha Yusoff and Ahmad Nizam Che Kasim are lecturers with the Faculty of Business and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Perlis. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of BERNAMA)
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MEF calls for legal work rights for refugees, asylum seekers
THE Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) strongly supports the call to allow refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia to work formally under a well-regulated and safeguarded framework. Malaysia currently hosts over 185,000 refugees and asylum seekers, the majority of whom are of working age and physically able to contribute to the workforce. At present, refugees and asylum seekers face legal and practical barriers to formal employment, despite having the skills, willingness and potential to contribute positively to the Malaysian economy. MEF believes that, if managed strategically and humanely, the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the formal labour market will positively help address several pressing national challenges, particularly in sectors facing acute labour shortages such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing and care services. MEF believes that one of the ways to help revitalise the national economy is to grant refugees and asylum seekers registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia access to formal work. This will allow refugees and asylum-seekers opportunities to recover from the disruptions of war, conflict and persecution in their home countries and contribute to the economic growth of Malaysia, with clear benefits to Malaysian businesses and consumers. Additionally, employers will also be able to tap into a ready and willing workforce already living in the country, saving time and costs related to recruitment, transport and accommodation of foreign workers. MEF believes that formalising employment for refugees will contribute significantly to Malaysia's economy. The benefits include: 0 Economic contribution: International studies and regional data show that every legally employed refugee can generate value not only through labour output but also through increased consumption, tax contributions and entrepreneurship. 0 GDP growth: A joint study by the International Labour Organisation and UNHCR found that enabling refugees to work can raise a country's GDP by up to 0.5% over time. 0 Labour force expansion: Granting 30% to 40% of refugees and asylum seekers access to formal employment could add between 55,000 and 75,000 workers to Malaysia's labour force – boosting productivity and supporting sustained economic growth. Allowing refugees and asylum seekers access to formal employment will help reduce the risks of exploitation, underpayment and illegal hiring practices while promoting better governance and stronger labour compliance. Employers stand to benefit by addressing labour shortages through a clear, transparent and accountable policy framework that: 0 Defines legal working status and permits; 0 Outlines employer obligations and worker rights; 0 Ensures proper vetting, matching and monitoring mechanisms; and 0 Integrates training and skills recognition to support productive job placements. MEF believes that the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers into Malaysia's formal workforce is a win-win strategy – one that will strengthen economic resilience, meet business needs and uphold Malaysia's humanitarian commitments. MEF is ready to engage with relevant authorities and stakeholders to explore a phased and responsible approach towards implementing this initiative.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mplify Emerges as New Brand for MEF, Reflects Bold Vision for the AI-Driven Digital Economy
With a focus on AI, automation, and cybersecurity, Mplify unites global connectivity leaders to shape the next era of secure, automated, and intelligent services LOS ANGELES, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEF, a global industry association accelerating enterprise digital transformation, today announced it has rebranded as Mplify Alliance, marking the start of a new era defined by scale, openness, and collective impact. The new name reflects the organization's evolution into a global alliance of enterprises, service providers, cloud providers, data center operators, technology providers, and systems integrators. United by a shared purpose to connect and empower the world, Mplify's mission is to amplify global network and service innovation, interoperability, and resilience through collaboration, standardization, and certification. Why the Change The transition to Mplify aligns the organization's identity with its growing role and the expanding diversity of its community. As the market shifts toward cloud-like service consumption, intelligent automation, and AI-optimized networking, Mplify provides a clear, more modern expression of the alliance's mission and value. The rebrand was guided by three strategic goals: Expand the organization's identity beyond telecom to include enterprises, service providers, cloud providers, technology providers, data centers, and systems integrators. Clarify its purpose: enabling secure, automated, standards-based service delivery. To modernize its voice to attract new contributors and reflect where the market is heading. The name Mplify encapsulates the organization's role in amplifying collaboration, scaling adoption, and driving shared innovation. This evolution reflects both the organization's legacy and its forward-looking mission. 'Mplify is built on everything that made MEF successful and designed for what the future demands,' said Nan Chen, CEO of Mplify. 'In cybersecurity especially, the industry has long been opaque, with every provider claiming to be secure but offering no shared definition or proof. Through standardization and certification, we're introducing trust and transparency into a space that badly needs both. Mplify gives us the platform and momentum to bring the ecosystem together, educate the market, and define what secure, automated, AI-powered services should look like.' What's Changing and What's Not While the name and identity are new, Mplify builds on more than two decades of leadership as MEF. The organization remains rooted in the same mission: advancing standardized, secure, and automated services through collaboration and certification. Mplify continues the foundational work that positioned MEF a defining force in standardizing Carrier Ethernet (CE) with MEF 3.0 CE certified services, and they remain the gold-standard for high-performance, standardized, and increasingly on-demand connectivity, support AI requirements and other advanced use cases. The organization is driving industry-wide automation with Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) APIs and launching the only certification program for Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions. These pillars remain central as Mplify extends its global reach. All existing programs, memberships, and initiatives continue under the Mplify brand. Members can expect the same trusted community and technical rigor now with a modern voice, more accessible identity, and expanded opportunities for innovation. The rebrand comes at a time when cross-industry collaboration and trusted frameworks are more critical than ever. 'The name Mplify captures the momentum the alliance is seeing across the global network ecosystem,' said Debika Bhattacharya, Mplify Board Chair and Chief Technology Solutions Officer of Verizon Business Group. 'This evolution isn't just about a new name -- it's about creating a more open, inclusive, and action-oriented alliance that brings the entire ecosystem together to define the future of connectivity. AI, automation, and cybersecurity are transforming how services are delivered, and Mplify offers a stronger foundation from which to drive that change.' NaaS: The Road Ahead Mplify's rebrand signals a strategic shift toward enabling Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) at global scale. Defined by standardized, automated, and certifiable service components, NaaS is the foundation for delivering secure, AI-optimized digital experiences across increasingly dynamic, distributed environments. As demand grows for programmable, on-demand, and multi-cloud services, Mplify is accelerating the frameworks and certifications that make NaaS real. From Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) APIs to Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) certification, the alliance is focused on turning collaboration into scalable, production-ready capability. This evolution will be on display at the Global NaaS Event (GNE), 10-14 November, where production use cases, AI-powered automation, and new service models will take center stage. Learn More Visit and follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube. For details on the Global NaaS Event (GNE), the premier gathering of industry leaders advancing the future of NaaS, visit About Mplify Mplify is a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration. As the defining authority behind Carrier Ethernet, Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) APIs, and certified SASE and SD-WAN, Mplify has developed the global blueprint for Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) that is empowering the industry to innovate, interoperate, and scale trusted network services across a global ecosystem. Media Contact:Melissa PowerMplifypr@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Star
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘M'sia gains when refugees work'
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia stands to benefit economically and resolve workforce gaps by enabling refugees and asylum seekers to work under a formal framework, says the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF). Its president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said that currently, 185,000 refugees and asylum seekers reside in Malaysia, the majority of whom are of working age and physically able to contribute to the economy. 'At present, refugees and asylum seekers face legal and practical barriers to formal employment, despite having the skills, willingness and potential to contribute positively to the Malaysian economy. 'MEF believes that, if managed strategically and humanely, the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the formal labour market will positively help address several pressing national challenges, particularly in sectors facing acute labour shortages such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing and care services,' he said in a statement yesterday. Syed Hussain said one way to revitalise the economy is by granting work access to those registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia. 'This will not only provide them with the opportunity to recover from the trauma of war, conflict and persecution, but also allow them to contribute to Malaysia's economic growth, with clear benefits to businesses and consumers,' he added. He said MEF believes formalising refugee employment will bring tangible benefits, including supporting Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth through labour output, consumption, taxation and entrepreneurship. Syed Hussain said it could also reduce exploitation and illegal hiring practices by promoting labour compliance, as well as saving time and costs for employers by tapping into a workforce already present in the country. He pointed to a joint study by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNHCR where they found that enabling refugees to work could increase a country's GDP by up to 0.5% over time. 'Even if 30% to 40% of the refugee and asylum seeker population is granted access to the formal job market, this could add 55,000 to 75,000 employees to Malaysia's labour force, boosting productivity and supporting national economic growth,' he said. Syed Hussain said this approach would not displace local workers, especially in 3D jobs (dirty, dangerous and difficult) that are typically shunned by Malaysians. 'It would reduce dependency on foreign workers and cut enforcement costs associated with illegal labour,' he said. Syed Hussain added that the move would also strengthen Malaysia's international standing on human rights and align with global standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and environmental, social and governance (ESG) expectations. 'MEF is calling on the government to collaborate with employers, trade unions, NGOs and international bodies to develop a clear, transparent policy framework that defines legal work status, outlines obligations and rights, integrates skills recognition and includes proper vetting and monitoring mechanisms. 'MEF believes the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers into Malaysia's formal workforce is a win-win strategy; one that strengthens economic resilience, meets business needs and upholds Malaysia's humanitarian commitments,' he said.
New Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MEF: Let refugees work in formal sector
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) wants the government to allow refugees and asylum seekers to work in the formal sector under a structured and safeguarded framework. Its president, Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman, said such access would not only support Malaysia's economic growth, but also benefit businesses and consumers, while offering displaced individuals to recover from home countries conflict. He said this move could help curb exploitation, underpayment and illegal hiring, while enhancing governance and labour law compliance. "MEF believes that one of the ways to help revitalise the national economy is to grant access to formal work for refugees and asylum seekers registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia. "MEF therefore urges the government to allow refugees and asylum seekers to work in the formal sector in Malaysia," he said in a statement today. Syed Hussain said Malaysia currently hosts more than 185,000 refugees and asylum seekers, most of whom are of working age and physically able At present, he said, refugees and asylum seekers face legal and practical barriers to formal employment, despite having the skills, willingness and potential to contribute positively to the Malaysian economy. "MEF believes that, if managed strategically and humanely, the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the formal labour market will positively help address several pressing national challenges. "This is particularly in sectors facing acute labour shortages such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and care services." He cited a study by the International Labour Organisation and UNHCR, which found that enabling refugees to work could raise a country's gross domestic product by up to 0.5 per cent over time. "If even 30 to 40 per cent of the refugee and asylum seeker population is granted access to the formal job market, this could add 55,000 to 75,000 employees to Malaysia's labour force, boosting productivity and supporting national economic growth." Among the advantages of employing them are easing worker shortages in sectors shunned by locals, such as 3D (dirty, dangerous, difficult) jobs, reducing reliance on foreign workers and enhancing Malaysia's global reputation for respecting human rights. "MEF is calling on the government to collaborate with employers, trade unions, non-governmental organisations and international bodies to develop a clear policy framework that defines legal work status and permits, outlines employer obligations and rights and integrates skills recognition to ensure productive placement.
