SARAWAK labour laws have been upgraded and takes effect today, said Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala.
The new Sarawak Labour Ordinance Amendments must be followed by all employers in the public and private sectors in this state, he said in his Labour Day statement.
The 1.46 million workers in the state will now enjoy equal rights with those throughout the rest of Malaysia, he said.
"The amendment to the Sarawak labour laws was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat and passed last year.
"The new laws take effect today throughout Sarawak and workers here will be able to enjoy better benefits and protections.
"The existing state labour laws have not been amended for more than 20 years.
"We want to see workers in Sarawak and the rest of Malaysia enjoy equal rights and protection," he said.
On July 18 last year, the Malaysian Trade Union Congress branch in Sarawak had taken the state government to task for continuously failing to upgrade its long-outdated state labour laws. – May 1, 2025
