MPs voice support, concerns over minimum wage increase

KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s decision to raise the minimum wage from RM1,500 to RM1,700 was among the focus for both government and opposition MPs during the debate on the Supply Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Oct 23). Most of them supported the move as it would benefit the workers, but some expressed concerns...

Workplace mental health issues cost M’sia RM14.46bil in 2018 alone, says psychiatrist

PETALING JAYA: Mental health issues are taking a significant toll on the Malaysian economy, with workplace stress, job insecurity, and burnout contributing to this growing crisis, said a psychiatrist. Consultant psychiatrist Prof Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said in 2018 alone, Malaysia lost RM14.46bil in productivity due to mental health-related challenges in the workplace, equivalent to 1%...

5,000 foreign workers at risk after sudden closure of RTK 2.0, bosses claim

PUTRAJAYA: The government has been urged to explain the sudden closure of the Second Labour Recalibration Programme (RTK 2.0), which has affected about 5,000 foreign workers and their employers. They are appealing for a transition period to let them complete pending recalibration matters, and for the government to implement alternatives to avoid adverse effects such as...

26 foreigners nabbed for immigration offences in Pulau Perhentian

KUALA LUMPUR: Over two dozen foreigners were rounded up for various offences during an Immigration Department operation in Terengganu. Immigration director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said in a statement that 26 individuals were caught in the Pulau Perhentian area during the operation on Monday (Sept 9). “All those detained are believed to have been operating businesses and working...

All employers in S’pore must fairly consider flexi-work requests from Dec 1 under new rules

SINGAPORE: All employers in Singapore must fairly consider formal requests from employees for flexible work arrangements (FWAs) from Dec 1, 2024, under the new Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements. The compulsory guidelines were unveiled on April 15 during a company visit to the Ridout Tea Garden outlet of fast-food chain McDonald’s attended by the three...

Over 270 employers penalised for labour rights violations since Jan 1

PUTRAJAYA: For failing to protect the welfare and rights of their workers, 272 employers have been slapped with compounds worth RM2.17mil by the Human Resources Ministry since Jan 1. Its minister V. Sivakumar said 1,321 investigation papers were also opened against 645 employers found committing acts in breach of laws enforced by the Labour Department,...