Malaysia: 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 emphasized the importance of this initiative during his meeting with Singapore's Acting Minister for Manpower, Jasmin Lau, in conjunction with his official working visit to the republic today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, 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. Ramanan noted that rapid changes in the employment landscape necessitate evolving labour policies and worker protection to align with changing work arrangements and economic needs.
Discussions also focused on talent development, upskilling initiatives, and the importance of preparing a workforce that can adapt to technological advancements and artificial intelligence (AI). The sharing of experiences and best practices between the two countries was highlighted as crucial in building a progressive and inclusive employment ecosystem without compromising workers' interests and welfare.
Ramanan emphasized the unique and close labour relationship between Malaysia and Singapore, which creates greater opportunities for both countries to explore new areas of collaboration in talent and skills development. He remarked that the relationship between Malaysia and Singapore extends beyond typical neighbouring countries, involving close labour mobility, economic ties, and people-to-people relations, thus offering significant opportunities to strengthen cooperation, share expertise, and jointly address workforce challenges.
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.