It is heartening to learn that Malaysia now has a new National Human Resources (HR) Policy Framework that was launched on the Labour Day 2024 by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim to resolve key aspects s of HR within the country across all industries & sectors, including equitable compensation, job welfare, and union movements.
According to Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim, during a speech at the 2024 National Labour Day celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, that “The framework, which comprises three cores and 11 strategies, was developed after considering feedback from stakeholders and the public through engagement sessions, the focus group discussions, and online surveys. This framework will serve as a guide in formulating the National HR Policy for the pilot Progressive Wage Policy and 13th Malaysia Plan."
Over the past decade, wellbeing or decent work of workers has become an ever greater priority within workplaces, and this has been particularly pronounced since the pandemic. Senator Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud, Chairman, Workers Empowerment Institute of Selangor, who's the former President of MTUC, said “Many workplace wellbeing initiatives focus on the individual (seeking, for example, to improve individual resilience or behaviours around diet & health) while ignoring the role of day-to-day decent working conditions.”
Syed emphasised, “Ultimately decent work underpins peace and security in worker societies. ”Decent Work for All" is therefore the principle that guides the International Labour Organisation (ILO) agenda. Decent Work is not just a goal - it is a driver of economic development growth. Our Madani Government must rectify ILO Convention on Decent Work."
In support, Consultant Yazdi Bankwala, COO Sejahtera Leadership Initiative (SLI) added, “In the 80 years since Maslow proposed his Hierarchy of Needs, ensuring that the basic needs of workers as human beings are met seems to have slipped down the priority list of many employers. I believe basic physiological and safety needs of workers can be met.”
I agree this is a challenging context for businesses to navigate. It is important in recognising the need for balance. National HR Policy Framework must be anchored to actual & real business outcomes, otherwise it will face resistance and won't be sustainable. Organisations should clearly articulate what's important to them, what goals are with HR Policy and how they are evidencing progress. Wellbeing & decent work need to be built into organisational strategy from the start and our workers should be involved in those conversations.
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