KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- In preparation for Budget 2026, Malaysia must prioritise workforce welfare by empowering the private sector to treat occupational safety, health, and mental well-being as fundamental to productivity and sustainability.
Chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, said the post-pandemic landscape calls for an urgent need for resilient workplaces that safeguard both physical and psychological health.
“Budget 2026 presents a timely opportunity to catalyse this transformation through targeted fiscal measures and policy support,” he said in a statement today.
Lee proposed several tax incentives to encourage proactive investment in workplace safety and mental health, including an Accelerated Capital Allowance for companies investing in ergonomic equipment, safety systems and mental health infrastructure such as quiet rooms, wellness pods, or digital therapy platforms.
He recommended double tax deductions for certified Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) training programmes, mental health awareness campaigns, employee assistance programmes, certified OSH officers or workplace counsellors, as well as lowering import duty for personal protective equipment not available locally.
“Special relief should be provided for small and medium enterprises that implement basic OSH standards or mental health support mechanisms, recognising their limited resources,” he said.
Lee also suggested tax incentives for preventive health initiatives for employees, such as annual health screenings, stress assessments and burnout prevention programmes.
Beyond tax incentives, he said, Budget 2026 could introduce complementary initiatives to instill a culture of safety and wellness, such as matching grants for companies adopting internationally recognised OSH certifications like ISO 45001 or established mental health frameworks.
Other proposed measures include introducing the National OSH Innovation Fund to support research and development in safety technologies, wearable health monitors and AI-driven risk assessments, as well as promoting public-private partnerships to develop training modules, toolkits and digital platforms for mental health literacy and hazard prevention.
Lee also called for mandatory reporting and benchmarking to encourage the voluntary disclosure of OSH and mental health metrics, with incentives for top-performing companies.
In addition, he proposed recognition programmes to establish national awards for exemplary employers in OSH and mental wellness.
“Budget 2026 must reflect our collective commitment to building humane, safe, and future-ready workplaces.
“By incentivising the private sector to lead in this space, we not only protect lives but also unlock higher engagement, lower absenteeism and stronger economic resilience,” he concluded.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, is scheduled to table Budget 2026 in Parliament this Friday.
-- BERNAMA
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