TalentCorp Conducting Six-month Study On Impact Of Flexible Work Arrangements - Sim
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) is conducting a six-month study to assess the impact of Flexible Working Arrangements (FWA) on the local job market, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the study, being carried out in three major urban areas — Penang, the Klang Valley and Johor — will provide data-driven insights into how FWA affects productivity, profitability and employee well-being in Malaysia.
“We have seen reports of positive outcomes from flexible work environments in other countries, but what about Malaysia? Some argue that our culture or work attitudes are different in that we have a different culture or people are lazier but I don't know.
“So we said okay, no problem since we are doing this, we undertook a six-month study and I hope the findings can be published by the end of this year or early next year, as nearly one million workers have already benefited from FWA,” he said when speaking at the Life At Work Awards (LAWA) 2025 Conference here today.
Sim said the initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to create a more progressive and inclusive work environment, with TalentCorp playing a central role in policy advocacy and implementation.
Reflecting on efforts to boost women’s participation in the workforce, Sim said that when he took office nearly a year ago, he learned of a tax incentive for women returning to work after a career break, but the take-up rate was very low.
He said the lack of employer incentives was one of the main barriers, prompting the government to extend tax relief to companies under Budget 2025.
“I asked them, what is the issue? Because TalentCorp was the agency involved in approving the application for the tax break for women to come back, they know what is going on on the ground.
“The government can introduce good policies and incentives, but if we do not understand the realities on the ground, they will remain moot. So last year, we decided to extend the tax break to employers as a push factor to rehire women back into the workforce,” he said.
Under Budget 2025, companies are eligible for tax breaks if they rehire women returning to work, provide FWA, or invest in equipment and systems to support flexible work environments.
Meanwhile, Sim also urged employers to offer FWA for their employees in conjunction with the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, which is expected to cause traffic congestion and temporary road closures across key routes in the city.
"The ASEAN Summit is coming up soon in Kuala Lumpur, they’re going to have congestion, road closures, so we are encouraging employers to provide FWA to their employees during that period,” he said.
Yesterday, the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) said employees may apply for FWAs under Sections 60P and 60Q of the Employment Act 1955 to adjust their working hours, days or locations, including during the ASEAN Summit period, subject to operational needs.
KESUMA added that private-sector workers can request such arrangements where suitable, ensuring flexibility does not affect productivity or company operations.
-- BERNAMA
