SHAH ALAM, July 7 — Approximately 16.91 per cent of workers screened under the National Occupational Disease Prevention Programme are likely to be experiencing work-related psychosocial issues.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan said the finding was derived from a large-scale study involving 100,000 workers across seven industrial sectors conducted between 2023 and 2025.
It assessed various psychosocial risks in the workplace, including excessive workloads, high work intensity and time pressure, all of which can adversely affect employees' mental well-being.
“The changing nature of today's workplace is not only driven by pressures arising from digital technology or artificial intelligence, but also by workplace culture, workload management, industrial relations, and psychosocial risks.
“These factors can affect both the mental and physical health of workers and, where applicable, may be classified as occupational diseases,” he said in a written Parliamentary reply published on the Parliament website.
Ramanan was responding to Jerlun MP Abd Ghani Ahmad's query about the estimated loss of national productivity due to workplace anxiety and mental stress, as well as the government's policies to safeguard workers' mental well-being.
He added that the study's findings provide empirical data to assist the Human Resources Ministry (MOHR) in formulating more effective prevention strategies.
Through the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, it continues to strengthen occupational safety and health by enforcing legislation, developing guidelines, and implementing the Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan 2026-2030.
The MOHR is also developing the competencies of trained psychosocial practitioners, providing specialised training modules, and carrying out nationwide promotion and advocacy programmes.
Ramanan noted that these measures are intended to help employers manage psychosocial risks systematically while creating safer, healthier, and more conducive working environments.
“The government, through the MOHR, remains committed to strengthening the management of occupational safety, health, and employees' mental well-being through a comprehensive and integrated approach.
“These initiatives are important in continuously improving workers' mental well-being, productivity, and overall quality of life,” he said.
