Sarawak Aims Higher Despite Rise In Industrial Harmony Score

KUCHING, July 30 (Bernama) -- Sarawak’s Industrial Harmony Index (HI) score rose to 81.5 per cent in 2023, up from 79.3 per cent the year before. However, there is still room for improvement to match or surpass the national average.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said the increase reflects positive employer-employee relations but stressed the need for continued progress.

“The score shows that Sarawak’s industrial landscape is generally harmonious, but we are aiming to reach or exceed the national average of 83 per cent,” he told reporters after officiating the 2025 Sarawak Industrial Harmony Programme, themed ‘Sustainable Industrial Harmony Through Legal Empowerment’, here today.

The Industrial Harmony Index is published biannually by the Department of Industrial Relations Malaysia (JPPM) to assess the state of workplace relations across the country.

Gerawat added that employer compliance with labour standards in Sarawak is substantial, indicating the state is on the right track in managing industrial relations and upholding labour laws.

He expressed confidence that employers would continue adopting best practices in line with national goals and urged companies to consider implementing productivity-linked wage systems.

“Sustained productivity growth not only benefits companies through higher profits but also contributes to Sarawak’s broader economic development,” he said.

He also encouraged firms to join JPPM’s free coaching programmes to support the transition to performance-based compensation systems.

Also present at the event were JPPM Deputy Director-General Aminuddin Ab Rahaman and Director in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Immigration and Labour Management Unit) Richard Lon.

-- BERNAMA