Minimum Wages 2020
Reference is made to Circular No: AG15/2019 from the Malaysian Employers Federation on the Minimum Wages 2020.
The Government proposed to implement the new minimum wages of RM1,200 per month in 57 cities and towns in Malaysia with effect from 1 January 2020.
A template (MEF Circular AG15/2019 and press release of the Ministry of Human Resources on 18 December 2019) for employers’ information can be obtained here.
STA Membership Renewal
Members are reminded that all STA Membership will be expired on 31 December 2019.
All payments are due on 1 January 2020. However, in accordance to Article 4(d) of STA Memorandum and Articles of Association [page 28 of Thirteenth Printing, September 2014], members are given a grace period of 30 days that is, by 31 January 2020 of effect payment.
Any matters related to membership renewal, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Kim Ten at 082-332 222.
BILL ON THE AMENDMENTS TO THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT 1967
Reference is made to Circular No. AG 11/2019 from the Malaysian Employers Federation on the bill on the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2019 and also the salient amendments. Please be informed that the Dewan Rakyat had passed the bill on 10 October 2019 and will then be tabled to the Dewan Negara.
A template (MEF Circular AG 11/2019 and Bill on the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2019) for employers’ information can be obtained here.
Press Release – “STA AND STIDC TO COLLABORATE TO REVIVE THE TIMBER INDUSTRY”
A meeting between Sarawak Timber Association (STA) plywood members and Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) was chaired by Tuan Haji Hashim bin Haji Bojet, STIDC General Manager on 16 October 2019. The 15-member delegation from STA was led by Dato’ Sri Patrick Wong Haw Yeong, STA Permanent Council Member. The objective of the meeting was to discuss the critical issues faced the timber industry and how best the state government and STA members can work together to overcome the challenges faced.
The biggest market for Sarawak plywood manufacturers is Japan. However, Sarawak is gradually losing its market share to countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam and China who are able to sell plywood at cheaper price. On top of that, production of domestic plywood in Japan is increasing, incentivised by the Japanese Government.
Please click here for the Complete Press Release.
Enforcement of The Forests (Trained Workmen) Rules, 2015
The Sarawak Government, through Forest Department Sarawak (FDS), had requested the Sarawak Timber Association (STA) to implement training for forestry workmen under an integrated training system for the State since 1991. Subsequently, STA Training Sdn Bhd (STAT), a wholly owned subsidiary company of STA, was incorporated in May 2005 with the primary objective to develop and implement skills training.
STAT was officially appointed as the Training Provider by FDS on 19 December 2016 to train and assess the competency of forestry workmen.
Please click here for more details.