KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Singapore will continue to strengthen cooperation in the labour sector, including enhancing the welfare and protection of gig workers, as both countries navigate an increasingly dynamic employment landscape.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the matter was among those discussed during his meeting with Singapore's Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau in conjunction with his official working visit to the republic today.
He said both sides exchanged views on current labour market developments and the challenges facing Malaysia and Singapore in preparing their workforce to meet the demands of the future economy.
"Malaysia and Singapore are facing rapid changes in the employment landscape. We therefore need to ensure that labour policies and worker protection continue to evolve in tandem with changing work arrangements and the needs of the economy," he said in a statement on Friday (Aug 7).
Ramanan said the discussions also covered talent development, upskilling initiatives and the need to prepare a workforce that is better equipped to adapt to technological advancements and artificial intelligence (AI).
He said the sharing of experiences and best practices between the two countries was vital in building a progressive and inclusive employment ecosystem without compromising workers' interests and welfare.
Ramanan said Malaysia and Singapore shared a unique and close labour relationship, creating greater opportunities for both countries to explore new areas of collaboration in talent and skills development.
"The relationship between Malaysia and Singapore extends beyond that of two neighbouring countries. Labour mobility, economic ties and people-to-people relations between our two nations are also very close.
"That is why we see significant opportunities to strengthen cooperation, share expertise and jointly address the workforce challenges that lie ahead," he said.
Also present at the meeting were Singapore Ministry of Manpower Planning and Finance Programme Department director Pung Wan Qing, Employment Standards and Inclusive Workplaces director Gan Su Yi, SkillsFuture Singapore Agency (SSG) Corporate Planning Division director Kevin Lee and Singapore Ministry of Manpower Strategy and Ecosystem Development deputy director Lock Hong Quan.
Earlier, Ramanan visited Grab's headquarters in Singapore as part of his official working visit. – Bernama
