Why These 4 New Labour Laws Are a Massive Win for the 100+ Talents We Manage”

Saw the post by YB Steven Sim this morning, and it hit home for me. As many of you know, I had the privilege of working closely with YB Sim and the KESUMA team back in August and September during the intense readings for the Gig Workers Bill. Witnessing that process firsthand, I saw the genuine drive to modernize our labour framework. So, seeing these 4 new bills officially passed by Parliament this week (Dec 2–3) isn’t just “news” to me—it feels like the fulfilling next chapter of a much larger mission to future-proof Malaysia’s workforce.

The biggest highlight for me is the 24-Hour SOCSO (PERKESO) Protection Scheme. We all know the lines between “work” and “life” have blurred—especially for those of us in tech or the gig economy. The old rule where you were only covered “9-to-5” or while commuting just doesn’t make sense anymore. With this amendment passed on December 2nd, knowing that 10 million workers will now be protected 24/7 is a massive relief. It means whether my team is working remotely, or someone is running a personal errand on a weekend, that safety net is always there. It treats us as humans first, workers second.

Another point that really resonates with me is the “Sijil Pakar” (Expert Certificate) initiative. In the tech world and at Colla Tech, we’ve always valued skills over certificates. We know plenty of “sifus”—coding wizards, master technicians, or creative leads—who never got a degree but are absolute masters of their craft. It is fantastic to see the National Skills Development Act (passed on December 3rd) finally catching up to this reality. By introducing titles like Pakar Kemahiran and Perunding Kemahiran, we are finally giving dignity and official recognition to the “school of hard knocks.” This is going to open so many doors for talent that has previously been overlooked by traditional HR systems.

On the financial side, the enhancements to the Employment Insurance System (EIS) and the Skills Development Fund (PTPK) are crucial for resilience. We talk a lot about AI and the need to “upskill,” but without funding, that’s just talk. Expanding the PTPK to cover a wider range of high-demand courses means that upskilling is now financially accessible, not just a luxury for the wealthy. And with the improved EIS, there is a stronger cushion if things go south. In an economy that changes as fast as ours, having that improved safety net encourages people to take risks and learn new things without the paralyzing fear of total financial ruin.

Overall, this is a strong move for Malaysia. These four bills, once gazetted and enforced, will build a workforce that is safer, more skilled, and better recognized. As business leaders and employers, we should welcome this. A protected workforce is a productive one. I’ll be keeping a close eye on the official implementation dates, and I suggest you do the same—whether you are an employer or an employee, these rights are yours to claim. Kudos to YB Steven Sim for keeping the momentum going since our sessions earlier this year; it’s the kind of “Madani” progress we actually need to feel on the ground.

Why am I highlighting this? Managing a diverse workforce across my companies gives me a front-row seat to these challenges daily. At BigDomain, we rely on a dedicated team of over 20 talents, while Colla Media engages with hundreds of gig workers and creators every single month. I’ve seen firsthand how the gap between “formal” employment and “informal” gig work can leave people vulnerable. These reforms are critical because they finally cover both bases—ensuring my full-time staff are protected around the clock, while also offering dignity and safety nets to the army of freelancers we collaborate with. It’s a holistic upgrade that strengthens the entire talent ecosystem we depend on.

The Facts: What Actually Changed?

(Based on parliamentary bills passed between Dec 2–4, 2025)

SOCSO (PERKESO) is now 24/7 (Major Update)
- Old Rule: You were mostly covered only for accidents during work or commuting to work.
- New Rule: 24-Hour Coverage. You are now protected even outside working hours (e.g., accidents during the weekend, at home, or during personal time).
- Why: To match modern “hybrid work” lifestyles where the line between work and life is blurred.
Better “Job Loss” Allowances (EIS Improvement)
- Update: The Employment Insurance System (EIS) benefits have been improved.
- Impact: If you get retrenched, the monthly allowance you receive while hunting for a new job is now higher or has better terms to keep you afloat.
“Sijil Pakar” – No Degree? No Problem
- Update: Introduction of 3 new expert levels: Pakar Kemahiran (Skill Expert), Pakar Kemahiran Kanan (Senior), and Perunding Kemahiran (Consultant).
- Impact: Recognizes “Guru” level workers (like master mechanics, chefs, technical specialists) who have years of experience but zero formal certificates. You can now get an official “Expert” title.
Training Money for Everyone (PTPK Expansion)
- Update: The Skills Development Fund (PTPK) is expanded.
- Impact: Funding is now available for a wider range of courses, including non-standard but high-demand skills (like AI, Green Tech) that weren’t covered before.

Big news from KESUMA and Minister Steven Sim this week. 4 major bills were just tabled/passed in Parliament, and they directly upgrade your safety net.
本周来自人力资源部（KESUMA）和部长沈志强的重磅消息！国会刚刚提呈/通过了4项主要法案，直接升级了你的社会保障。

Here are the 4 Big Wins (4大胜利):

✅ 1. SOCSO Protection is now 24 Hours (PERKESO 全天候 24小时保障)
Finally! You are now covered 24/7, not just during office hours. Even if an accident happens outside of work (personal time), you are protected. No more disputes about “was this during work time?”
终于来了！你的社险（SOCSO）保障不再局限于上班时间。现在是 24小时全天候覆盖！即使意外发生在下班后的私人时间，你依然受保。不用再争论“这是不是工伤”了。

✅ 2. Expert Title for “Sifus” without Degrees (无文凭也能当“专家”)
Got skills but no paper qualification? The new “Sijil Pakar” recognizes industry veterans. If you are a master at your craft, the government now officially recognizes you as an Expert.
有一身好手艺却没有大学文凭？新的 “Sijil Pakar”（专家证书） 专为行业老手而设。只要你是行内高手，政府现在正式认证你为“专家”。

✅ 3. Better Unemployment Allowance (更好的失业津贴)
If you lose your job, the allowance (EIS) you get while looking for a new one has been improved. A stronger safety net for tough times.
万一失业了，你在找工期间领取的津贴（EIS）已获得提升。为你提供更稳固的经济安全网。

✅ 4. Easier Funding for Upskilling (更容易获得培训资金)
Want to learn AI or new tech? The PTPK fund is expanded to cover more types of courses. No money to upskill? Now there’s a way.
想学 AI 或新技术？PTPK 基金范围扩大了，覆盖更多课程。没钱进修？现在有路了。

💬 My Take: This catches Malaysia up with modern work styles (hybrid/gig). It’s not just about working hard anymore; it’s about being protected while we live our lives.
💬 个人看法： 这让马来西亚的劳工法终于跟上了现代工作模式（混合办公/零工经济）。这不仅仅是关于努力工作，而是确保我们在生活中也受到保障。