KUCHING: The Sarawak Labour Ordinance (SLO) amendment will be tabled in the forthcoming parliamentary session for approval.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said the amendment is crucial for the well-being of workers in Sarawak.
“And I am proud to say that we have obtained approval from the Ministry of Human Resources in Kuala Lumpur, where the amendments have been approved and submitted to the ministry.
“Our hope is that the amendments will be tabled in the forthcoming parliamentary session probably in June or July,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after attending the state-level Labour’s Day celebration with Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MUTC) Sarawak.
He added once the amendments are presented and approved in Parliament, there will be no need for further approval in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
“This means the Minister of Human Resources will determine the effective date of the law, including the amendments,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Gerawat said it is important to ensure that the amendments align with the International Labour Convention and the latest amendments to the Employment Act 1955 (Amendment 2022) which benefit both employers and employees.
“Some proposed amendments to the existing SLO are in line with international standards, such as seven days of paternity leave; increasing maternity leave to 98 days, and reducing the weekly working hours to 45 hours.
“Paternity leave should be provided to male workers so they can be present for the birth of their child, take care of their wife who has just given birth and handle tasks like registering the child.
“Furthermore, increasing maternity leave from 60 days to 98 days aligns with the Maternity Protection Convention 2000 No.183, which stipulates that maternity leave should not be less than 14 weeks.
“Additionally, these SLO amendments also involve reducing the weekly working hours from 48 to 45 to enhance labour productivity and preserve the welfare of workers and their families,” he said.
