In 2009, the steps taken to improve the country's competitiveness in employing workers include:
The publication of Guidelines on Retrenchment Management;
Issuance of a Circular on retrenchment involving less than five employees where employers shall no longer require notifying the Labour Department;
Extensive review of five major employment legislation namely Employment Act 1955, Industrial Relations Act 1967, Trade Unions Act 1959, Social Security Act 1969 and the Wages Council Act 1947; and
The establishment of a Task Force of the Ministry of Human Resource headed by the Director General of Labour to:
undertake a holistic review of all labour laws in relation to social and economic development;
study the legal procedure and process relating to hiring and firing of employees under current legislation; and
seek ways and means of improving the processes and procedure of termination and benefit payments.
