Malaysia Employers Pledge to Foster Women’s Leadership Skills Development at 111th ILO Conference
Aditi Sharma Kalra, 16 June 2023
During the recent 111th International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference in Geneva, Syukri Sudari, Vice President of the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), addressed the plenary session on behalf of MEF President Datuk Dr Syed Hussain. He reaffirmed the federation’s dedication to various important initiatives:
1. Promoting women’s leadership: MEF is committed to fostering the development of women’s leadership skills and providing opportunities for their advancement.
2. Enhancing skills development: Malaysia aims to achieve a skilled workforce by 2030, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. MEF emphasizes the importance of equipping workers with relevant skills to thrive in the global landscape.
3. Advocating for social protection: MEF supports inclusive social protection schemes to safeguard workers’ welfare and rights. Financial literacy training is essential to empower workers in making informed financial decisions and securing their financial future.
4. Addressing retirement support issues: MEF calls for the extension of Social Security coverage to retirees, recognizing the need for comprehensive systems that provide necessary support and care to retirees.
5. Supporting refugees’ access to work opportunities: MEF collaborates with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to advocate for refugees’ legal access to work. The federation aims to create an inclusive society that recognizes and utilizes the talents of refugees.
Syukri Sudari was accompanied by MEF Vice President Farid Basir and Council member Peggy Chew. The Malaysian Human Resources Minister, V. Sivakumar, also contributed to the conference.
MEF recently organized the National Summit on Women to celebrate the contributions of Malaysian women and foster an inclusive environment for their growth and success.
Additionally, MEF has partnered with the ILO under the Safe and Fair Programme, focusing on developing knowledge tools for its members. This collaboration reflects Malaysia’s commitment to promoting safe and fair labor practices and protecting the wellbeing and rights of workers in all aspects of employment.
