Kota Kinabalu: Over 2.1 million workers in Sabah now benefit from broader legal protection under the newly enforced Labour Ordinance of Sabah (Amendment) Act 2025.
The amendment, officiated at the Tripartite Labour Convention by State Federal Secretary Datuk Seri Rosli Isa, marks the first significant update to the Ordinance in more than 20 years.
The Ordinance, effective May 1, 2025, aims to streamline regulatory processes and clarify the rights and obligations of both employers and employees, ensuring greater protection for all workers, including previously unregistered or undocumented workers.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“This change will improve working conditions and safeguard vulnerable workers in remote areas, strengthening legal protections for all,” said Rosli.
He said significant updates include longer maternity leave (98 days), new seven-day paternity leave and reduced weekly hours (45), aligning Sabah with national standards and promoting work-life balance.
“These changes reflect our Government’s commitment to equal opportunities and family well-being,” he said.
He noted that one key issue the amended Ordinance tackles is the high number of undocumented foreign workers.
“Sabah, with a population of 3.8 million, is estimated to host 1.8 million foreign workers, yet only 2.1 million are officially registered, highlighting a large group still without legal protection.
“We estimate that Sabah hosts 1.8 million foreign workers, but only 2.1 million workers are registered.
“This challenge in labour governance is something the Ordinance aims to address through clearer registration frameworks,” he said.
Alongside this, Rosli said, the Government remains committed to protecting vulnerable groups, particularly in rural areas, from forced labour and human trafficking.
“An anti-trafficking and forced labour outreach programme recently took place in Merotai Besar, Tawau, involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Immigration Department.
“These efforts are crucial to ensuring that all workers, including those in remote communities, are not left vulnerable to exploitation.
“The revised Ordinance not only aims to bring undocumented workers into the legal system but also ensures that vulnerable workers are safeguarded from trafficking and forced labour,” he added.
Sabah Labour Department (JTK) Director Wan Zulkfli Wan Setapa said the revised Ordinance ensures shared responsibility between employers and the JTK.
“This ensures that all workers, including those previously unregistered, are brought into the legal system.
“It’s a critical step in preventing exploitation and guaranteeing they receive the protections afforded by labour laws,” he said.
Rosli also emphasised the Government’s commitment to enforcing Malaysia’s minimum wage policies, ranging from RM1,500 to RM1,700 depending on the sector.
“These policies ensure fair pay for both local and foreign workers and protect them from exploitation,” he said, addressing concerns that lower wages might encourage the hiring of undocumented workers.
A significant part of the event was the launch of the Labour Education Convoy Series, which will travel across the State from capital city to Sandakan, Tawau and other districts, eventually concluding in Tenom.
Wan Zulkfli said this seven-day journey aims to raise awareness about the amended Labour Ordinance, focusing on tripartite stakeholders, including the Government, employer groups and workers’ unions.
“This convoy represents a significant step in educating and engaging employers, workers and stakeholders to ensure they understand their rights and obligations under the new ordinance,” he said.
Under the leadership of JTK Sabah Director, the initiative will focus on educating employers, especially smaller plantation owners and smallholders, about the Ordinance’s requirements and helping them navigate the regulatory changes.
“These amendments bring Sabah’s labour laws in line with national and international standards, including those under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
He affirmed that this alignment is expected to attract responsible investors and generate high-quality job opportunities for the people of the State.
“The amendment is more than just a legal update. It is about fairness, respect and building a better future for workers in Sabah,” he said while launching the convention, marking a new chapter for workers’ rights in East Malaysia.