KUCHING: Sarawak's Industrial Harmony Index score increased by nearly 3% from 2022 to 2024, but there is still room for improvement, says Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Office Datuk Gerawat Gala.
He said the state's score rose from 79.3% in 2022 to 81.5% last year, slightly below the national score of 83%.
"This is a satisfying achievement. We are happy with the progress, which shows that we are moving in the right direction.
"But I hope this achievement will continue to increase in the coming years because we want to be at least the same, if not better, than the national score," he told reporters after opening the Sarawak industrial harmony programme here on Wednesday (July 30).
Gerawat expressed confidence that companies in Sarawak would take positive steps to improve their performance in industrial harmony.
He said that two companies from Sarawak made it to the finals of the Anugerah Syarikat Harmoni 2025 awards, which recognised companies that implemented best practices to create a conducive and harmonious work environment.
"This shows that the landscape of industrial relations in Sarawak is harmonious," he said.
In his speech earlier, Gerawat said employers and employees should work together to resolve industrial issues.
"Confrontational and combative methods of resolving differences between employers and employees are always a lose-lose situation for both parties.
"In modern times, this approach is out of date. It's always productive to be collaborative between employers and employees," he said.
As such, he called on employers and workers' unions to inculcate a culture of collaboration and consultation in resolving disputes.
"Employees will be motivated to be more productive in a conducive work environment," he said.
