Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has expressed hope the formation of the Sabah Labour Advisory Council could strengthen workers’ rights and boost industrial harmony.
Hajiji said SLAC has the potential to become a key platform for building stronger cooperation between the government, employers, and employees.
“I hope the establishment of SLAC will open more channels for both employers and employees to voice their views and suggest improvements, so that labour policies and laws that truly reflect Sabah’s unique industrial landscape can be implemented,” he said on Tuesday.
His speech was delivered by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Ariffin Arif at the council’s appointment ceremony and inaugural meeting at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort in Kota Kinabalu.
Hajiji also expressed hope that SLAC will help align Sabah’s labour administration with international standards, particularly the International Labour Organisation’s Tripartite Consultation Convention (No. 144) of 1976, by promoting continuous dialogue between all stakeholders.
With 48 members equally representing the government, employer associations, and workers’ unions, Hajiji hoped the council would play a proactive role in offering insights to the State and Federal Governments on strengthening labour policies that benefit both businesses and workers.
“Every decision and recommendation made by SLAC will be presented to the relevant authorities for further action, and I hope this will lead to real improvements for our workforce,” he said.
He further hoped that the Prime Minister’s recent Labour Day announcement would serve as momentum to address key labour challenges in Sabah, including eradicating forced labour, preventing workplace discrimination and harassment, improving protections for women and children, managing non-resident workers, and enhancing workplace facilities.
“I hope all these efforts will help build a stable, productive workforce that will in turn attract more investors to Sabah,” Hajiji added.
He also urged all industry players to embrace the amended Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) 2025, and expressed hope that the State Government’s ongoing cooperation with stakeholders would ensure its effective implementation.
Hajiji welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to raise the national minimum wage from RM1,500 to RM1,700, expressing hope that this adjustment would ensure fairer compensation for Sabah’s workers.
“I hope this wage increase will motivate our workforce while ensuring their livelihoods are better protected,” he said.
Congratulating the Sabah Labour Department for resolving RM22.2 million in claims benefitting over 13,000 workers last year, Hajiji expressed hope that enforcement efforts would continue to protect workers’ welfare.
He also called for greater emphasis on workplace safety, social protection through EPF, SOCSO, and the Employment Insurance System, and the promotion of skill development and union rights.
“Labour laws are not meant to burden businesses, but to ensure that employment relations are stable, fair, and sustainable. I hope through SLAC, we can strengthen this philosophy—because when workers are protected, productivity and the economy will thrive,” Hajiji said. – May 13, 2025
