Holiday Villa Hotel, Johor Bahru | Tuesday, 3 June 2025
The Trade Union Affairs Programme (PHEKS) 2025 continues to strengthen the position of trade unions as drivers of an inclusive and progressive employment ecosystem. Held at the Holiday Villa Hotel, Johor Bahru, the PHEKS South Zone event witnessed various initiatives that reflect the government’s commitment to empowering the voice of workers.
With a historic allocation of RM10 million, a significant increase from RM5.8 million last year, PHEKS 2025 is a clear testament to the government’s support for the development of the union movement. To date, over 551 applications worth RM7.15 million have been approved covering five main clusters: training and education, research, scholarly writing, digitization and the purchase of ICT hardware.
The ceremony also witnessed the launch of the Book of Research and Scientific Writing Related to Trade Unions, an important initiative in strengthening the knowledge and capabilities of union leadership in the field.
YB Dato’ Sri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, Deputy Minister of Human Resources, in his speech emphasized that this support is a reflection of the core of MADANI Malaysia, particularly the principles of Justice, Prosperity, and Ihsan.
“This allocation is not just a number, it is a symbol of the government’s concern for the strength of unions as agents of social change and guardians of workers’ rights,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of tripartite social dialogue as the basis for the formation of fair and balanced policies between the government, employers and workers.
This council strengthens the role of unions as strategic partners in voicing workers’ aspirations, as well as ensuring their welfare is upheld in an increasingly challenging employment landscape.
