National HR Policy Framework introduced in Malaysia

To address key workforce and HR issues, the Malaysian government has launched the National Human Resource Policy Framework.
By: | May 3, 2024
Topics: Compensation and Benefits | Compliance | Employee Experience | Employment Law | Malaysia | News

Malaysia now has a new policy framework revolving around human resources.

The National Human Resources (HR) Policy Framework was launched on Labour Day by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and addresses key aspects of human resources within the country across all industries and sectors, including equitable compensation and job welfare.

The framework, which comprises three cores and 11 strategies, was developed after considering feedback from stakeholders and the public through engagement sessions, focus group discussions and online surveys, shared Steven Sim, Malaysia’s Human Resources Minister.

“This framework addresses crucial issues related to workers, such as fair compensation, job welfare, labour union movements, job mismatches, and foreign labour,” said Sim, during a speech at the 2024 National Labour Day celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

“This framework will further serve as a guide in formulating the comprehensive National Human Resources Policy for the 13th Malaysia Plan.”

Sim highlighted that the first project to enhance the wages of employees in Malaysia will commence with the forthcoming pilot project of the Progressive Wage Policy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy. It is expected to start in June.

He added, “The Madani Government has allocated RM50 million (US$10.5 million) for this pilot project, which will benefit an estimated 1.05 million Malaysian workers.”

The proposed White Paper on the Progressive Wage Policy was presented in Parliament in November 2023, which formed part of the government’s strategy to increase the median wage of employees and their share of compensation for the remainder of the 12th Malaysia Plan and the next 10 years.

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Sim shared that RM2.5 billion (US$540 million) has been earmarked for skills training initiatives as a part of the Human Resources Ministry’s agenda for the year, which will cover diverse fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, green economy skills, and 5G technology, reported The Star.