Latest news with #StevenSimCheeKeong
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang must move beyond low-cost model to stay globally competitive
GEORGE TOWN: Penang must transition away from the traditional low-cost economic model and embrace innovation, high-value creation and local enterprise development to remain globally competitive. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said that while the low-cost model had helped shape Penang into a manufacturing hub over the past decades, the state must now chart a new path towards economic sustainability through its next phase — Penang 3.0. In a statement released today following the INPenang International Awards 2025 held on June 21, Sim said the Penang 3.0 vision aims to transform the state from a global manufacturing hub into a centre of innovation, technology and high-value creation, driven by local talents and enterprises. "If Penang 2.0 was about global companies coming to Penang to make their products here, Penang 3.0 must be about supporting our own start-ups towards higher value creation. "Moving forward, we must build on our legacy to produce our homegrown 4Ts - talents, tech, things and trademarks. "In other words, over the next 50 years, we want to transform from 'Made in Penang' to 'Made by Penang'," he said. Sim said he was confident that with the right policies and incentives, Penang would be able to sustain its reputation as a global brand of the highest quality. He also acknowledged the achievements of the Penang state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, whose administration has driven several landmark projects that are providing major uplifts for Penang, such as the expansion of Penang International Airport and the Mutiara Line LRT. – Bernama
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Penang urged to shift from low-cost model to innovation for global edge
GEORGE TOWN: Penang must move beyond its reliance on low-cost manufacturing and adopt a strategy focused on innovation, high-value creation, and local enterprise development to maintain its global competitiveness, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. Speaking at the iNPenang International Awards 2025 held on June 21, Sim emphasised that while the low-cost model had positioned Penang as a manufacturing powerhouse over the past decades, the state must now evolve under its next phase, dubbed Penang 3.0. 'If Penang 2.0 was about global companies coming to Penang to make their products here, Penang 3.0 must be about supporting our own start-ups towards higher value creation,' Sim said in a statement released today. The Penang 3.0 vision seeks to transform the state from a manufacturing hub into a centre of innovation, technology, and high-value production, powered by local talent and businesses. Sim highlighted the need to cultivate homegrown capabilities in four key areas—talents, tech, things, and trademarks—to shift from 'Made in Penang' to 'Made by Penang' over the next 50 years. He also commended the Penang state government, led by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, for driving major infrastructure projects such as the expansion of Penang International Airport and the Mutiara Line LRT, which are set to boost the state's economic prospects. Sim expressed confidence that with the right policies and incentives, Penang could sustain its reputation as a high-quality global brand.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Mediation saves RM60 million in workplace disputes, says HR minister
GEORGE TOWN: Mediation has proven to be a cost-effective and efficient method for resolving workplace disputes, saving employers and employees millions while fostering industrial harmony. Human Resource Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong highlighted that 65 per cent of cases referred to the Department of Industrial Relations were successfully resolved through mediation in 2024, preventing unnecessary legal battles. Speaking at the inaugural Industrial Mediation Symposium 2025, Sim noted that mediation handled over 3,000 cases this year, reducing the burden on the Industrial Court. 'If each court case costs RM20,000 for both parties, mediation has saved more than RM60 million in 2024 alone,' he said. Before disputes escalate to court, the Department of Industrial Relations employs alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, primarily conciliation meetings, to settle conflicts amicably. Currently, 122 industrial relations officers (IROs) trained in professional mediation assist workers and employers in reaching swift resolutions. Sim emphasised the ministry's commitment to enhancing mediation expertise through partnerships with international bodies like the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and local institutions such as the Kuala Lumpur Mediation Centre and the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF). Since 2024, collaboration with the US Department of Labour has further strengthened officers' mediation skills. The symposium, organised by the Society of JP Community Mediators Penang (SJPCMP) alongside the JP Mediation Bureau Penang and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), aimed to promote mediation as a key tool for workplace conflict resolution.
Barnama
a day ago
- Business
- Barnama
Mediation Key To Industrial Harmony, Cost Savings In Workplace Disputes
REGION - NORTHERN > NEWS GEORGE TOWN, June 27 (Bernama) -- Mediation, as a primary mechanism for resolving workplace disputes, helps save time and costs while preserving industrial harmony. Human Resource Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong stated that industrial relations officers (IRO) under the ministry successfully resolved 65 per cent of cases referred to the director-general of the Department of Industrial Relations annually via mediation, representing over 3,000 cases in 2024. "In other words, only 35 per cent of disputes proceeded to the Industrial Court. bootstrap slideshow "If each case appearing before the court costs both employers and employees about RM20,000, we are looking at cost savings of more than RM60 million in 2024 alone," he said in his keynote address at the inaugural Industrial Mediation Symposium 2025 held here recently. Sim added that even before cases are referred to the Industrial Court, the Department of Industrial Relations under the ministry employs alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, primarily through conciliation meetings, to settle disputes amicably. Currently, he said, 122 IROs under the ministry serve as conciliators to help workers and employers resolve conflicts swiftly and peacefully. Sim said these officers receive professional mediation training through collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) at the International Training Centre in Turin, Italy, as well as other institutions such as the Kuala Lumpur Mediation Centre and the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF). Beginning in 2024, he said, the Human Resource Ministry also partnered with the United States Department of Labour to further strengthen its officers' capacity in industrial mediation. The one-day symposium on June 21 was organised by the Society of JP Community Mediators Penang (SJPCMP), in collaboration with the JP Mediation Bureau Penang and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
AMESU signs 6 landmark deals to raise plantation wages
SHAH ALAM: The All Malayan Estates Staff Union (AMESU) marked a historic milestone today by signing six Collective Agreements (CAs) simultaneously with plantation sector employers. The signing ceremony, which was witnessed by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, involved representatives from the Malayan Agricultural Producers Association (MAPA), IOI Group of Companies, Dara Lam Soon Sdn Bhd, Arah Kawasan Sdn Bhd, HK Gua Musang Sdn Bhd, and YPJ Plantations Sdn Bhd. In his speech, Sim noted that AMESU, established in 1927, is one of the country's oldest trade unions, representing over 5,000 workers, while MAPA serves as the umbrella body for 120 major plantation companies nationwide. 'This ceremony marks an extraordinary achievement in the history of workers' rights, as this is the first time six collective agreements have been successfully signed simultaneously,' he said. He noted that the agreements are expected to boost worker welfare and enhance productivity across the plantation sector. Under the new agreements, all AMESU members will receive salary increases of up to 12 per cent. Interestingly, Sim said the increment is retroactive, effective from Jan 1, which means that workers will also receive backdated payments ranging from RM3,000 to RM10,000, depending on their job grade, years of service, and allowance structure. Furthermore, he said workers covered under the agreements between AMESU, MAPA, and the six plantation firms will no longer be subject to the minimum wage threshold of RM1,700 per month. 'Instead, the agreed salary structure sets a new starting wage at RM1,800 per month, which is higher than the current minimum wage,' he added.
