EMPLOYERS and employees must take serious steps to practise healthy lifestyles, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said.
He said that the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma), through the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), has conducted health screenings for over 794,000 workers aged 40 and above since its introduction in 2013.
“According to Perkeso’s statistics from 2023 until last Feb 29, a total of 175,526 workers underwent health screenings, revealing concerning results.
“Some 59.59% were diagnosed with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), 23.52% grappled with excessive weight or obesity, 20.45% faced high blood pressure (hypertension), and 19.91% suffered from diabetes.
“We need to look at this seriously as it now impacting the younger generation,” he said in his speech before launching the Program Pekerja Sihat dan Selamat and Kempen Tolak Gula 2024 at Jabil Circuit in Bayan Lepas today.
He also advised corporations to care for their employees.
“The destinies of workers and employers are intertwined.
“Our goal is to create a mutually beneficial scenario for Malaysian workers and the economy.
“Caring for your workers is the key to having content employees. Content employees translate to increased productivity, and heightened productivity leads to higher profits,” he added.
Sim also highlighted Kesuma’s 3K mission, which is to increase the workers’ kebajikan (welfare), kemahiran (skills), and keberhasilan (productivity).
Meanwhile, state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen congratulated the organiser and supporters for making the programme a success.
“We advocate for adopting healthy lifestyles and minimising sugar intake.
“The dangers of excessive sugar consumption are substantial.
“The alarming instances of individuals as young as 21 needing dialysis at the Balik Pulau CAT Dialysis Centre emphasise the pressing need to address the repercussions of elevated sugar intake,” Gooi said.
Perkeso Board chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal also urged the corporations to play their roles in caring for their workers’ wellbeing.
“Workers are the corporations’ valuable asset,” he said.
Also present was Jabil Malaysia managing director S. J. Tan.