SERIAN: A working visit to by Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem to Finland has impressed the Finnish government.
In a text message to his office here late Wednesday, Riot said in a whirlwind visit to a couple of leading Finnish workers’ related institutes and a courtesy call on that country’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health Pirkko Matilla, he had the chance to present Malaysia’s policies on social security, pension and unemployment benefits, workers’ insurance and welfare.
Riot, who flew to Finland Wednesday right after attending and addressing the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference that attracted 4,000 delegates around the world in Geneva starting Monday, said Finland had voiced its interest for a win-win cooperation in areas such as training and re-training and enhancing human resources.
He said the Finnish officials were impressed by what Malaysia had achieved in developing its human resources, in particular its upskilling efforts.
He said his visit to Finland was to take a closer look at where and how Malaysia could learn from the Finnish experience with regards to labour policies.
Riot’s visiting delegation included Malaysia’s National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
Riot and Lee spent more than an hour at a discussion with Dr Antti Koivula, the chief executive officer of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH).
Earlier, during a courtesy call on Matilla, Riot spent about half an hour outlining Malaysia’s workers’ policies, which drew many interesting comparisons and exchanges from their hosts.
“I am very happy with this visit as I see so many similarities in the policies of both countries.
“We have some very interesting features in ours, while they have theirs too.
“Future cooperation will benefit both countries,” Riot said in his text message.
