Proposed changes include introducing paternity leave, more maternity leave days, broader coverage of ordinance
The state government of Sabah in Malaysia is introducing new amendments to its labour ordinance this year, nearly two decades since it was first amended in 2005.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced that the proposed amendments include expanding the coverage of the Sabah Labour Ordinance (SLO) to all workers regardless of salary cap or type of employment, Bernama reported.
Other proposed amendments to the ordinance include:
- Reducing weekly working hours from 48 hours to 45 hours
- Hiking maternity leave from 60 days to 98 days
- Introducing a seven-day paternity leave for husbands for all legitimate wives, but limited only for the first five children
According to Hajiji, the amendments will also introduce "comprehensive, fair, and equitable benefits" to employers and employees, Bernama reported.
This aims to protect the welfare of employees and safeguard the ease of doing business for employers, the chief minister said.
Reasons for the amendments
The proposed amendments will likely be tabled in the next Parliament session this year, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last May.
This makes it nearly two decades since 2005 when the ordinance was first amended.
Hajiji said the amendments are timely because the state government is in "dire need" of labour legislation that is relevant and appropriate to current events.
The amendments will also encourage more foreign companies to invest in Sabah, according to the chief minister.
"A period of 19 years is a long time," Hajiji said as quoted by Bernama. "A law needs to be reviewed to be improved, especially laws involving workers' welfare and employers' needs to conduct business."
