IPOH, July 13 — While Malaysia does not see a lot of worker protests against their employers, Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar today said the country could do better in the Industrial Harmony Index (IHI) to attract more foreign investors.
He said the country’s IHI score is currently at 78.9 per cent, based on the 2022 index, and hopes it can reach 90 per cent.
“It would be great if the country’s IHI score could reach an excellent level which is at 90 per cent.
“In general, we don’t see many cases of workers protesting against employers happening in any industrial sectors in the country.
“So it proves there is harmony between the workers and employers. I hope we can continue this trend to attract more foreign investors,” he told a press conference after officiating the Perak Industrial Harmony Symposium programme at Casuarina Meru Hotel here.
He also said that the findings of the National IHI 2022 show how the concept of sharing in the relationship between employers, employees and trade unions practised in developed countries can also be implemented in Malaysia.
He pointed out that out of all states nationwide, Perak had the highest IHI score in 2022 at 82.6 per cent.
“This is an increase from the year 2020, where its IHI score was 80.3 per cent,” said Sivakumar, who noted the IHI score is measured once every two years.
He said the Industrial Harmony Symposium programme held today aims to help employers understand more about the laws and legal issues surrounding workplace.
“Among others, it aims to increase employers' awareness of legal issues involving the termination of employees so that employers are more clear about the procedures for dealing with discipline problems in the workplace.
“Enterprise harmony is an important element in the industry because it can indirectly contribute to productivity increase and company profits, which in turn increases the income of workers in the country,” he said.
The Industrial Harmony Symposium programme was attended by 110 companies statewide.
Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/07/13/hr-minister-wants-malaysias-industrial-harmony-score-to-hit-90pc-to-lure-more-fdi/79500