KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia and Singapore will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the labour sector, focusing on enhancing welfare protections for gig workers as both nations adapt to evolving employment trends.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan highlighted the joint commitment following an official working visit to Singapore today, where he held bilateral discussions with Singapore’s Acting Minister for Manpower, Jasmin Lau.
Policy Evolution and AI Integration
During the meeting, both ministers exchanged insights on labour market developments and discussed strategies to prepare their respective workforces for future economic demands.
“Malaysia and Singapore are facing rapid changes in the employment landscape. We therefore need to ensure that labour policies and worker protection continue to evolve in tandem with changing work arrangements and the needs of the economy,” Ramanan said in a statement.
Key discussion points included:
- Gig Economy Safeguards: Aligning welfare frameworks to ensure non-traditional and platform workers maintain adequate safety nets.
- Technological Readiness: Implementing talent development and upskilling programs centered on artificial intelligence (AI) and technological advancements.
- Knowledge Exchange: Sharing regulatory best practices to build an inclusive employment ecosystem without compromising worker welfare.
Cross-Border Labour Mobility
Ramanan underscored the deep economic interdependency and high degree of labour mobility between the two neighboring countries.
“The relationship between Malaysia and Singapore extends beyond that of two neighbouring countries. Labour mobility, economic ties, and people-to-people relations between our two nations are also very close. That is why we see significant opportunities to strengthen cooperation, share expertise, and jointly address the workforce challenges that lie ahead,” he added.
As part of his official itinerary, Ramanan also visited Grab’s headquarters in Singapore.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower, including Pung Wan Qing (Director, Planning and Finance Programme Department), Gan Su Yi (Director, Employment Standards and Inclusive Workplaces), Kevin Lee (Director, SkillsFuture Singapore Agency Corporate Planning Division), and Lock Hong Quan (Deputy Director, Ministry of Manpower Strategy and Ecosystem Development).
