Asean governments should consider incentives for flexible employment arrangements

PUTRAJAYA: Flexible job arrangements are expected to be an important element of human resource strategy of companies as work-life balance becomes a rising concern in the workforce.
In saying this, deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib added this situation is especially prominent among the new generation.
"Therefore, it is important for local companies to seriously consider implementing flexible employment arrangements in order to effectively meet their objectives of attracting, motivating and retaining talents, in particular skilled labour," he said at the opening of the Asean seminar on Balancing Flexibility and Security in Labour Market here today.
Given this scenario, he suggested employers explore various forms of flexible job arrangements including working from home, part time working system, compressed work hours and flexible time for employees to choose when to start and end their work at certain 'core hours'.
The two-day seminar is being attended by 100 participants from Asean member states, dialogue partners, trade unions and the International Labor Organisation.
It will discuss three issues – flexible and reliable contractual employment arrangements, security of tenure and the role of tripartite members.
Also present at the event was the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim.