Bukit jalil: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given all relevant agencies a two-week deadline to submit reports on the implementation of each workers' initiative announced today. He stated that the reports must be delivered to the respective ministers before being presented to the Cabinet within three weeks. 'I do not want a repeat of past practices where announcements are made, but implementation takes six months, a year or even longer. Today, the announcement is made; within two weeks the report must be on the minister's desk, and must be presented for Cabinet consideration within three weeks,' he said.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar made this declaration at the national-level 2026 Workers' Day celebration attended by 15,000 workers from both public and private sectors nationwide at Unifi Arena, Bukit Jalil. The event also saw the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, other Cabinet members, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, senior government officials, as well as representatives of workers' unions and employers.
Earlier, the Prime Minister announced three key initiatives, including the Post-Maternity Leave Allowance, which provides financial assistance for additional leave of up to 30 days taken after the standard 98-day maternity leave period. He also revealed the Progressive Acceleration for Capability and Employment (PACE) Economic Resilience Package, valued at over RM710 million, to bolster human capital development and stabilize the national labor market.
The initiatives include a RM580 million allocation by the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) to support workers who have lost their jobs through the Employment Insurance System (EIS), and a RM100 million allocation under HRD Yakin MADANI for training and job placement. Additionally, RM20 million has been directed to the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) for gig worker training, while RM10 million has been allocated via TalentCorp for the Industry Training Matching Grant to aid MSMEs and start-ups.
The third significant initiative involves amending the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 to extend Perkeso protection to Malaysians working abroad, starting with cross-border workers between Malaysia and Singapore. With the theme 'Pekerja MADANI Kesuma Bangsa', the annual event serves as a platform to recognize the contributions of the country's workforce, while enhancing the career ecosystem through job opportunities and skills development.