Kota Kinabalu, Sabah | Monday, 19 May 2025
The Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) through the Department of Trade Union Affairs (JHEKS) held a Handover Ceremony for the Trade Union Affairs Program (PHEKS) 2025 Sabah Zone Assistance at Le Meridien Hotel, Kota Kinabalu to strengthen the trade union movement. The ceremony began with a welcome speech from YB Dr. Kelvin Yii, Political Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and was officiated by His Excellency the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sabah Tun Datuk Seri Panglima (Dr.) Musa Bin Haji Aman.
This year, the PHEKS allocation was increased to RM10 million, the highest increase compared to RM5.8 million last year. A total of 551 applications were approved worth RM7.15 million, including 48 applications from Sabah worth RM500,500.
The Council also introduced the MADANI Employee Card, a new welfare initiative for union members, in line with MADANI’s core of Kindness and Wellbeing in Malaysia.
Among the aid clusters distributed:
Training & Education: RM5.45 million
Union Study: RM345,500
Scientific Writing: RM136,000
Computer Hardware: RM831,107
Digitization of Records: RM384,599
KESUMA emphasizes the importance of a mature, progressive and inclusive union, and supports Collective Agreements as a pillar of industrial harmony.
Statistics 2024:
Number of units: 762
Union members: 1,038,435
Private sector unions: 500 (411,520 members)
Unions with Collective Agreements: 240
The council also demonstrated Sabah’s readiness in implementing the Sabah Labour Ordinance 2025, which came into effect on May 1 and aligns worker protection with the Peninsular, including issues of minimum wage and protection for pregnant women.
This initiative reflects KESUMA’s commitment to implementing the values of Justice, Kindness, and Prosperity for the welfare of workers and the advancement of fair and sustainable industrial relations.
