By Aisyah Ardila
KUCHING: A total of 31 trade unions in Sarawak have received assistance amounting to RM479,089 under the 2025 Union Affairs Programme (PHEKS) to strengthen the role and capabilities of unions through various development initiatives.
According to Human Resources Deputy Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad, the PHEKS assistance is one of the government’s initiatives to promote workers’ rights and raise awareness on the importance of trade unions.
“A total of 551 PHEKS 2025 grant applications have been approved nationwide.
“This year, RM10 million has been allocated under PHEKS, comprising RM7.15 million for all offered clusters and RM2.85 million for Outreach and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programmes.
“Today’s distribution involves four clusters, namely Training and Educational Programmes, Trade Union Movement Research, Academic Writing on Labour Issues Related to Trade Unions, and Computer Hardware Purchases,” he said.
He made these remarks while officiating at the 2025 Sarawak Zone PHEKS Assistance Presentation Ceremony at the Imperial Hotel here yesterday.
He noted that the government consistently takes proactive measures to support trade unions in running their activities, which could spark interest among workers to join unions.
“This ceremony is a form of recognition of trade unions as the government’s social partners,” he explained.
He expressed hope that with the 2025 PHEKS assistance, trade unions in the country will continue to operate actively and effectively.
“Trade unions are also expected to continue uplifting the dignity of workers by safeguarding their welfare, skills and productivity, and by making them a priority,” he said.
Hence, Abdul Rahman also informed that in addition to the PHEKS grant, the government has launched the MADANI Worker Card on May 1, 2025, providing union members with access to discounts on various facilities offered by participating companies.
“This demonstrates the government’s concern for the importance and contributions of trade unions in the country.
“It is hoped that more workers will join trade unions since the MADANI Worker Card is exclusively for union members,” he added.
