SLAC TO SERVE AS PLATFORM TO SAFEGUARD WORKERS' RIGHTS IN SABAH - HAJIJI

KOTA KINABALU, May 13 (Bernama) -- The establishment of the Sabah Labour Advisory Council (SLAC) will serve as a platform to safeguard workers' rights and strengthen the tripartite relationship between the government, employers, and employees in the state.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the council would ensure that the rights and welfare of workers in Sabah are protected and upheld, while also assisting employers in conducting their businesses in a more structured and efficient manner.

He expressed hope that the council would serve as a platform for employers and workers to exchange views and offer suggestions on labour-related matters to the government, enabling the formulation of policies and legislation which are better aligned with Sabah's industrialisation goals.

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“Cooperation between the government, employers, and workers is crucial in the formation of SLAC, to ensure the successful implementation of the Decent Work Agenda, which is the primary aspiration of the International Labour Organisation (ILO),” he said during the SLAC's permanent members’ appointment ceremony and its inaugural meeting, held here, today.

The text of his speech was delivered by Sabah Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif.

Hajiji also expressed hope that the appointment of 16 council members, comprising representatives from the government, employers’ associations, and workers’ unions, will contribute meaningfully, by providing valuable input to the government in support of Sabah’s economic development.

In addition, SLAC is expected to play a role in strengthening collaboration between the state and federal governments, through the Sabah Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Human Resources.

He said that SLAC will help ensure that critical issues, such as the eradication of forced labour, workplace discrimination and sexual harassment; the protection of women and children; management of non-resident workers; flexible working arrangements; and housing and worker facilities, continue to be addressed and strengthened.

He added that tripartite discussions between the government, employers, and workers are in line with the Tripartite Consultations to Promote the Implementation of International Labour Standards 1976 (Convention No. 144).

Commenting further, Hajiji said that, in 2023, the Sabah Labour Department carried out enforcement activities through statutory inspections, complaint investigations, and the handling of labour court cases, benefiting a total of 13,487 workers, and involving claims amounting to RM22.2 million.

He emphasised that labour laws should not be seen as a burden on employers, but rather as a mechanism to ensure continuity and harmony in employment relationships.

“Effectively resolving labour-related issues will have a positive impact on Sabah, particularly in the economic sector, as a stable workforce and a sound labour legal framework are key factors in attracting investors to the state,” he said.

-- BERNAMA