PETALING JAYA: Former human resources minister Steven Sim (pic) has described his two-year tenure at the Human Resources Ministry as a period dedicated to strengthening workers’ welfare, skills and income.
“December marks my second anniversary at the ministry. I feel very fortunate and proud to have been given the opportunity to contribute, even in a small way, towards uplifting the dignity of workers.
“We are not 100% perfect, but the team has worked tirelessly to ensure workers’ welfare, skills and outcomes improved,” he said in a social media post yesterday.
Among the key achievements he cited was the increase in the minimum wage to RM1,700, while the median monthly wage rose beyond RM3,000 for the first time.
He also highlighted the rollout of the Progressive Wage Policy, which benefited more than 32,000 workers in 2025, with median starting salaries rising by up to 16%.
Sim noted that Malaysia recorded its lowest unemployment rate in a decade and the highest percentage increase in newly registered trade unions during this period.
On labour standards, he said Malaysia ratified the International Labour Organisation’s Convention C155 and strengthened occupational safety and health laws in line with global best practices.
Amendments to the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances – the first in 20 years – were also introduced to provide equal rights to workers nationwide.
He also highlighted efforts to empower the Industrial Court, strengthen protection for migrant workers, improve Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) benefits and introduce a 24-hour PERKESO coverage scheme, which he described as “a historic step after more than 50 years”.
Other initiatives during his tenure included tabling the Gig Workers Bill, reforming technical and vocational education and training, and restructuring the Human Resource Development Corporation to improve funding for upskilling programmes.
Sim said the ministry also underwent internal reforms to cut red tape.
“Approval times for expatriate permits were reduced from six to 12 months to just 20 days; HRD grant approvals from up to two weeks to 24 hours; and skills certificate issuance from two months to two weeks,” he said.
Thanking the ministry’s officers and stakeholders, he said the fight for workers’ rights must continue.
“May the workers’ struggle continue to flourish forever. Long live the workers!”
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a Cabinet reshuffle yesterday.
Sim was appointed the new Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister.
