In his keynote speech at the MEF National Conference 2023, Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar announced that Malaysia has seen a 26% increase in its quality of life over the past two decades based on the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Human Development Index (HDI).
The HDI measures three dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and having a decent standard of living.
According to Sivakumar, Malaysia’s HDI has improved significantly from 0.643 in 1990 to 0.810 in 2019.
He also noted that in 2020, Malaysia was classified as a high-performing country in terms of health and education.
However, in 2021, the HDI slightly decreased to 0.803 due to global trends influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change.
Sivakumar emphasized that Malaysia’s HDI reflects the country’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all, regardless of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, geographic location, political affiliation, or beliefs.
He highlighted the importance of an economy with a social purpose, which includes understanding people’s life situations holistically.
Sivakumar commended the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) for its collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in providing knowledge tools to employers regarding various issues such as discrimination, sexual harassment, violence, flexible work arrangements, and forced labor.
This collaboration aims to enhance the capacity of employers and employees to work in dignity, leading to a more resilient and productive workforce.
MEF President Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman expressed satisfaction with the positive response from employers in improving their practices related to safe and fair work conditions.
He emphasized the commitment of employers to prioritize workers’ welfare in all their initiatives.
The MEF National Conference 2023, a two-day event, aims to share HR strategies adopted by industry leaders to address business challenges and promote a sustainable future.
Topics covered in the conference include building an inclusive workplace for differently-abled employees, the future of youth employment, and driving change to achieve business results.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
