BINTULU: Industry players, government agencies and key stakeholders gathered at a hotel here, today, for the Industry Update and Dialogue on Regulatory Requirements and Procedures for Recruitment of Non-Sarawakian Workers in Sarawak, a joint initiative by the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) and the Immigration and Labour Management Unit (ILMU).

According to STIDC, the one-day programme brought together representatives from various sectors including manufacturing, timber and forestry, oil and gas, oil palm, construction and services, reflecting the shared commitment to strengthen compliance, governance and workforce management practices across Sarawak’s growing industries.

Delivering her keynote address, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration) Datu Felicia Tan Ya Hua highlighted that the session marked an important milestone as the first joint programme between ILMU and STIDC, with a follow-up session scheduled to take place in Kuching.

“She stressed the importance of continuous engagement between the government and industry to ensure effective implementation of labour policies and regulatory frameworks.

“She further shared that Sarawak’s Foreign Workers Transformation Approach (FWTA) has introduced several digital solutions, including JobSarawak, SANSOLS, and EXPRT, to streamline recruitment processes and improve transparency.

“These initiatives form part of the state’s broader push towards end-to-end digitalisation, reducing manual processes while enhancing efficiency and accountability,” it said in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to the statement, Datu Felicia added that such programmes are crucial not only for disseminating information, but also for listening to industry feedback.

“This ensures that our policies and systems remain relevant, efficient and responsive to the needs of industry players,” she said.

Meanwhile, STIDC Deputy General Manager Haluyah Awi emphasised that the recruitment and management of non-Sarawakian workers remain a critical component in sustaining industrial growth.

She noted that as industries continue to expand, it is essential for employers to stay informed and aligned with the latest regulatory requirements to ensure smooth operations and protect the interests of both employers and employees.

“The programme served as a practical platform for participants to gain first-hand updates from relevant authorities, covering key areas such as amendments to the Sarawak Labour Ordinance, application procedures for employment passes, labour licensing requirements, and initiatives to strengthen governance and integrity,” she said.

STIDC added that participants were also introduced to digital platforms aimed at improving efficiency and transparency in labour management processes.

The dialogue sessions provided an open platform for participants to engage directly with regulators, seek clarification and share insights on operational challenges.

This collaborative approach reinforces the importance of strong partnerships between the public and private sectors in building a fair, transparent and sustainable employment ecosystem.

The initiative aligns with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which places emphasis on strengthening governance, enhancing regulatory compliance and adopting digital innovation to drive long-term economic resilience and competitiveness. -UKASnews