KUALA LUMPUR (May 1): In recognition of and showing appreciation to the workers for contributing to the nation's progress, the government has agreed to give "rewards" in conjunction with the Workers' Day 2022 celebration, themed "Pekerja Tonggak Keluarga Malaysia Dalam Pemulihan Negara".

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the rewards include the government bearing 80% of the total contribution of self-employed individuals through the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme under the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) with a target of benefitting at least one million individuals.

In addition, there is also the Keluarga Malaysia Vehicle Insurance Financing programme, introduced by MyEzyCover.com on Sunday (May 1). It is a financing package in instalments of up to 10 months without any interest charges, offered to civil servants before the scheme is extended to the private sector.

"This programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Human Resources in collaboration with SOCSO and Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Bhd (Angkasa)," he said in his Worker's Day 2022 address, which was broadcast live on TV1, on Sunday.

Ismail Sabri said the minimum salary of RM1,500, which came into effect on Sunday, is a gift to the workers for their tireless dedication to developing the country's economy.

The prime minister said the government has also agreed to make it mandatory for the set-up of nurseries at public sector workplaces involving federal and state governments as well as statutory bodies before expanding it to the private sector.

According to him, the government provided an annual grant of RM10 million in 2019 and RM30 million in 2020 for the initiative, to provide relief to employees with small children.

Apart from that, the prime minister said the reopening of the country's borders provides space for the re-employment of foreign workers in certain sectors, especially in the 3D (dirty, dangerous, and difficult) sectors, but the move is not to alienate local workers.

He added that a comprehensive mechanism will be devised to reduce dependence on foreign workers so that locals are given priority.

"The Ministry of Human Resources has been asked to study this aspect so that local workers can benefit by improving salary rates, employment packages, and career advancement," he said.

Ismail Sabri said the government has also ratified Protocol 29 of the International Labour Organization as proof of its commitment to eliminating forced labour in Malaysia, thus ensuring that the country's products and goods are no longer restricted from entering the international market for allegedly using forced labour.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said the government has also launched the UPSkills Malaysia portal for employees to improve their skills and made it a single reference centre that gathers information from 6,143 training providers covering 35 skill areas.

Apart from that, he said various initiatives have been implemented to ensure that the Keluarga Malaysia could continue living, including the Wage Subsidy Programme which has helped more than 350,000 employers nationwide with an allocation of RM20.34 billion besides successfully retaining 2.95 million individuals in the employment sector.

He added that the government has also increased the ceiling of the insured monthly salary from RM4,000 to RM5,000, which has benefitted nine million workers, especially SOCSO contributors, nationwide.

"The government is confident that the Keluarga Malaysia workers will remain resilient and continue to be strategic partners in developing the country's economy.

"Once again, I would like to express my highest appreciation and wish Happy Workers' Day to all employees, leaders, and members of trade unions in the country," said Ismail Sabri, who also extended his Aidilfitri greetings to Keluarga Malaysia.