Malaysia Strengthens Ties With IOE For Inclusive Labour Market Growth

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will continue to strengthen its strategic cooperation with the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) to develop a more inclusive, sustainable and competitive labour market ecosystem, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said.

He said the collaboration is important in ensuring a balance between economic growth, worker protection and employers' interests amid the increasingly complex challenges of the global employment landscape.

Ramanan said the matter was discussed during a meeting with an IOE delegation led by secretary-general Roberto Suárez Santos, vice-president Matthias Thorns and policy director Akustina Morni, as well as representatives of the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) led by its president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman.

During the meeting, Malaysia shared updates on key policies and initiatives, including labour law reforms, the Gig Workers Act 2025, the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Master Plan 2026-2030 and the implementation of the 24-Hour Social Security Protection Scheme (SKIM LINDUNG 24 JAM), which came into effect on June 1, 2026.

“The MADANI Government's commitment to implementing inclusive, progressive and balanced policies was also reaffirmed.

“This approach not only strengthens worker protection but also takes into account the needs and competitiveness of employers to ensure the country's labour market ecosystem remains conducive, resilient and capable of attracting quality investments,” he said in a Facebook post.

Ramanan said the IOE welcomed Malaysia's efforts to strengthen national labour standards in line with developments in the world of work and international best practices.

The organisation also expressed its intention to enhance cooperation with Malaysia, particularly in occupational safety and health (OSH), skills development, including artificial intelligence (AI), as well as digital and green transformation initiatives.

Ramanan said Malaysia will continue expanding international partnerships to ensure the country's labour market remains inclusive and competitive for the benefit of workers, employers and the nation.

The Malaysian delegation included Human Resources Ministry deputy secretary-general Dr Mohd Shaharin Umar, Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, political secretary to the minister Aizuddin Abd Gaffal, the ministry's legal adviser Shamsurryaty Samsuddin and Labour Policy Division deputy secretary Grace Dairiam.

-- BERNAMA