Looking Back at HR Development in 2019

We’re a few weeks away to welcome the year 2020, and we’ve seen major changes as well as developments in the HR industry. Through the insights, whether it’s about developments in salary trends, the introduction of new HR policies, innovations and growth in the workforce development – we look forward to greater development in the coming year. 

 

Malaysia Budget 2020(October)

On 11th October, the Malaysia Budget 2019 was presented by the Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng. Amongst the major developments in HR that were presented include unemployed graduates for more than a year to earn RM500 every month for two years, women who return to the workforce will enjoy an RM500 incentive, increase in maternity leave from 60 days to 90 days, local workforce employed in low-skill jobs will earn additional RM350 – RM500 and increase in minimum wages to RM1,200 for all major cities. For more insights on the Budget 2020 Employment Insights, check out this link.

 

The Industrial Skills Framework(IndSF) for training quality in the hotel industry(December)

The first-ever Industrial Skills Framework was launched in a joint effort between the Human resources Department Fund(HRDF) and the Malaysian Association of Hotels(MAH). The program will be acting as a guide for employees, employers and training providers to promote life learning and skills mastery to improve the quality of training for the hotel industry. It is the first framework to be introduced to the industry, which is to be in line with the government’s effort to reach a target of 30 million tourists for Visit Malaysia 2020.

 

Health Ministry to add 10,675 jobs for hospital and clinics on 2020 onwards (December)

The Public Service Department director-general(JPA) announced the approval of the Ministry of Health(MOH)’s proposal to establish positions for new health facilities. Medical jobs included doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and other medical officers. To control the size of the civil service, new recruitments for the 10,675 medical jobs will be added in phases and roles throughout the year 2020 onwards.

 

Human Resource Ministry to propose 7-day paternity leave to the cabinet(November)

According to Minister M.Kulasegaran stated he is looking to bring up the topic of 7-day paternity leave for the private sector as the idea has not been a concern since Malaysia achieved independence. Earlier this year, the Women’s Aid Organisation(WAO) handed over a petition to the ministry that had garnered almost 40,00 signatures from the public to call for 7 days paternity leave.

 

Prime Minister launches National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2019-2023(July)

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has launched the National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2019-2023, which is aimed to develop a capable society that can make informed financial decisions and to nurture healthy attitudes in financial management. The initiative will be led by Financial Education Network(FENetwork), co-led by Bank Negara Malaysia and Securities Commission Malaysia. FENetwork will be working together with individuals and companies in the public and private sectors to deliver the strategy’ inclusive and sustainable measures. Among the programs included in the strategy are financial carnivals, “Management of Personal Finance” programme for civil servants and more.

 

Malaysia Cabinet passes bill on worker’s housing and amenities(July)

The Worker’s Minimum Standard of Housing and Amenities(Amendment) Bill 2019 was passed in Parliament aims to increase the minimum standard of housing and provision of basic facilities for workers in all sectors. Other amendments include providing separate facilities for different genders, measures on fire safety, as well as essential medical assistance and immunisation.

 

Flexible working hours started on March for civil servants in selected countries(February)

Starting on the 1st March 2019, civil servants working in all ministries and federal departments in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Terengganu, Perlis, Perak, Sarawak, Sabah and Selangor will have flexible working hours. The announcement was issued by, Director-General Datuk Seri Borhan Dolah of the Public Service Department(Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam). Official working hours for these states will start at 7.30 am and end at 5.30 pm, on Thursdays, it will be from 7.30 am to 4 pm in Johor and Terengganu. Civil servants will be allowed to clock in between 7.30 am and 8.30 am, and clock out between 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm, as long as they work seven and a half hours.

 

New minimum statutory rate for workers above 60 comes into effect(January)

The minimum statutory contribution by employers to Malaysia’s Employees Provident Fund(EPF) for employees aged above 60 will be reduced to 4% per month, down from the previous 6%. The initiative to reduce the statutory contribution rates is to help increase the take-home pay for employees who continue to work after reaching age 60 while promoting employment opportunities for workers above 60 years of age to remain productive and active in the economy.

What do you look forward to the HR Development in 2020? Leave us your thoughts on the comment sections below. Head over to Jobstore.com and unveil your next job opportunity.

---