Written by Gabriella Lee Mei Yan, FSSH Student
The Immigration and Labour Management Unit (ILMU) under the Sarawak Premier’s Department successfully organised the Labour Day Celebration 2026 Sarawak at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). The event was jointly organised in collaboration with the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Sarawak and the Industrial Relations and Employment Programme (IREP), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
A total of 45 students from the Industrial Relations and Employment Programme (IREP), together with five postgraduate students, volunteered in various roles to contribute to the success of the event. The event was highly significant as it was attended by ministers from the Sarawak Premier’s Department and received participation from approximately 3,000 attendees comprising representatives from government agencies, private sectors, trade unions, and members of the public.
In conjunction with the celebration, a sharing session on the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76) was conducted by the Sarawak Labour Department (JTK Sarawak), highlighting workers’ rights and emphasising protections for all workers regardless of industry. In addition, the official launch of JobSarawak provided another platform for expanding employment opportunities within the state.
The event was officiated by the Deputy Minister for Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring under the Sarawak Premier’s Department, Yang Berhormat Datuk Gerawat Gala, and was further graced by the presence of the Premier of Sarawak, Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.
This celebration not only recognised and appreciated the dedication and contributions of hardworking workers, but also provided IREP students with the opportunity to demonstrate altruism, leadership, and commitment in public event management while fostering long-term collaborative relationships with various agencies and organisations.