MTUC appreciates DPM Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s efforts to increase employment opportunities for Malaysian women. However, there is no need to amend the 1955 Employment Act to promote flexible working time or working from home. There is nothing in the law to prevent such practices.
Employment Act Outdated
Indeed the Employment Act is outdated. The minimum standards law still promotes 48 hours working week and allows widespread discrimination in comparison with employees in the public sector. Last week the Labour Department ruled that an employer in Nibong Tebal was right in refusing to pay for treatment given by the company appointed medical practitioner. Our Labour Department says that under the law the employer is required to pay for consultation only.
Improve Minimum Standards
Therefore there is an urgent need to amend the Employment Act to reduce the 48 hour working time, increase the annual leave, sick leave, public holidays and healthcare benefits. Most importantly Government must establish a minimum wage.
Stop flooding the country with foreign workers
Datuk Seri Najib as the Chairman of Foreign Workers Task Force should stop flooding the country with foreign workers. As a first step, government should abolish the licenses issued to 225 foreign labour suppliers. As long as the government continues its policy of issuing unlimited work permits without assessing the Labour market needs, government will not be able to encourage employers to employ Malaysian women.
Employers who have no consideration for corporate social responsibility would prefer cheap foreign labour that can be hired and fired without notice. Their only consideration is profits.
22nd August 2008
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