PUTRAJAYA: The setting up of the Gig Consultative Council and Gig Workers Tribunal are among the priorities for empowering the country’s employment ecosystem within the next two years, says Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
The Human Resources Minister said that these efforts, alongside drafting the National Human Resources Policy 2026-2035, will establish a fair, efficient and reality-focused governance and dispute resolution mechanism for handling the realities of gig work.
He added that the Human Resources Policy aims to ensure worker welfare, particularly regarding protection, safety, employment opportunities and skills development.
“As Human Resources Minister, my emphasis is to ensure that the welfare of workers is always a priority, whether in terms of protection, safety, employment opportunities or skills development.
“The Human Resources Ministry functions for all Malaysian workers, irrespective of race, background or employment sector,” he said at a press conference after his “clock-in” session and briefing with the ministry’s senior management here yesterday, Bernama reported.
To set up the Gig Consultative Council and Gig Workers Tribunal, Ramanan said an interim team is being formed to ensure the council’s establishment is successful by the first quarter of 2026.
He said the ministry’s other priorities are labour law reform, implementing the National Action Plan on Forced Labour 2.0 (2026-2030) and introducing a multi-tier levy mechanism.
“I am fully committed to working closely with the ministry’s senior management, staff and departments and agencies under the ministry to ensure that the implemented policies and initiatives truly benefit the people.
“With the cooperation of all parties, we can continue to strengthen the country’s employment system to make it more resilient, sustainable and worker-welfare focused.”
Ramanan also expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the trust and confidence placed in him to lead the ministry.
“I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to Steven Sim, the former human resources minister, for the important effort and initiatives he undertook throughout his term of service,” he added.
