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STATEMENT BY

MR. AZRIL ABD AZIZ

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE GENERAL DISCUSSION ON AGENDA ITEMS 3 (a) AND (b):

FOLLOW-UP TO THE WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND

THE 24^TH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

61^ST SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

 

 

Madam Chair,

 

At the outset, Malaysia wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to the Governments and peoples of Syria and Türkiye over the devastating earthquakes earlier this week. Our thoughts and prayers go to the families of the deceased and injured.

 

Madam Chair,

 

2.      Malaysia commends you, the Bureau, and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs for the preparations and conduct of this session of the Commission.

 

 3.      The COVID-19 pandemic has rolled back progress made by Member States in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It has adversely impacted many different fields, including social development. The pandemic had resulted in, amongst others, losses in employment as well as reduction of income, and has contributed to an increase in inequality in many parts of the world. While the world recovers from the aftermath, progress varies from one country to another, with many still struggling to make a rebound. The theme of this session of the Commission befits the scenario we face at present.

 

Madam Chair,

 

 4.      Malaysia has adopted a progressive approach in addressing the long-term impact of the pandemic, spurring economic recovery and rejuvenating social development. The Malaysia Madani concept recently introduced by the Honourable Prime Minister lays out the Government’s vision of a civilised, skilled and inclusive society based on six (6) core values namely sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion.

 

5.      The National Social Policy serves as the framework of Malaysia’s social development needs. Its implementation is monitored by the National Social Council, which also makes policy decisions on critical social issues, with the aim of reducing inequality. Efforts are also undertaken, amongst others, through the Malaysian Social Protection Council, to enhance the efficiency of social protection service delivery to vulnerable groups including women, children, persons with disabilities (PWDs), older persons, and informal workers.

 

6.      Recognising the importance of the labour force to the economy, the Government introduced an employment incentive in February 2022 with the aim of reducing the national unemployment rate to the pre-pandemic level of 3.3 percent. A total of USD 1.1 billion was allocated to provide 600,000 job opportunities. As of November 2022, the unemployment rate has been reduced from 4.1 percent to 3.6 percent. In addition, the Government, through the Minimum Wages Order 2022, has also introduced a new national monthly minimum wage of RM1,500 for all workers in all sectors, a 25 percent increase from the previous rate.

 

7.      The Government has also made improvements on the legislative front to better protect the rights of workers. Amendments have been introduced to the Employment Act 1955, which include extending maternity leave privileges for all female employees from 60 to 90 days, imposing restrictions on termination of pregnant female employees, and introducing paid paternity leave. There is also legislation in place to allow self-employed groups to enjoy the benefits of the self-employed employment injury scheme, as well as to help workers who have lost their jobs, including through temporary financial assistance and job search assistance. The Government has also undertaken efforts to extend social security protection to those who are not covered under the Employees' Social Security Act 1969.

 

Madam Chair,

 

8.      Recognising that the COVID-19 has had a devastating impact against women, the Government has undertaken efforts focusing on providing an enabling environment for all women to participate in the workforce. These include flexible working hours, childcare subsidies, as well as tax reliefs for those who enrol their children into registered nurseries and pre-school as well as for the purchase of breastfeeding equipment. In addition, social safety net incentives for housewives have been introduced under the Employees Provident Fund to elevate the position of women in unpaid care work, ensure that housewives have savings for retirement and future protection. The Government has also introduced the Confinement Care Programme, which provides an opportunity to women from low-income households certified under the programme to generate income by offering traditional and modern holistic postnatal care services for mothers.

 

9.      For PWDs, the Government has set up two (2) sheltered workshops to facilitate those who are unable or not ready to compete in an open labour market, which provide employment opportunities in sectors such as bakery, laundry, retail and restaurant, as well as sewing and embroidery. As of 2022, 79 PWDs have been employed under these sheltered workshops. The Government also provides funding schemes for non-governmental organisations that offer training and productive employment for PWDs. In the private sector, job matching and job coaching programmes further promote the participation of PWDs in the workforce.

 

10.      In providing employment opportunities and economic empowerment for older persons, the Government has expanded the functions of several Activity Centres for Older Persons to include job matching services and business empowerment activities.

 

11.      As for employment opportunities for youth, the Government has undertaken several initiatives. These include the integration of the youth-centric one stop centre system (MYBelia) with the national employment portal (MyFutureJobs); the establishment of employment services help centres to reduce the youth unemployment rate in rural areas; provision of reskilling, upskilling and life-long learning programmes based on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and occupational-related skills; as well as developing marketability of best young talents through synergy and multi-stakeholder collaborations between Government agencies, industry players, and higher education institutions and technical institutions.

 

Madam Chair, 

 

12.      Malaysia remains committed in mitigating the adverse impact of COVID-19 concerning the development and management of human resources and employment domestically, to ensure that no one is left behind. We stand ready to work with all relevant stakeholders in efforts to create full and productive employment and decent work.

 

I thank you.