KUCHING: The Human Resources Ministry is in the midst of discussion with the Sarawak government regarding amendments to the Sarawak Labour Ordinance to be consistent with the Employment Act 1955 (Amendment) 2022.
Its Minister V. Sivakumar said there were several matters and issues needed to be ironed out before a bill to amend the ordinance could be tabled in Parliament.
“Although we want to materialise it as soon as possible, it is necessary to discuss all matters in detail with the state government as we have to respect Sarawak as well as take all the local issues raised into consideration.
“We would not be able to table the bill to amend the ordinance in the next Parliament sitting in October. We are expecting it (amendment) early next year.
“So far, everything is on track – just a few matters need further discussion before we finalise everything,” he told the reporters after a ‘Labour Dialogue’ held here yesterday.
Once the ordinance is amended, it will allow all Malaysian workers in Sarawak to enjoy the same rights and benefits as people in other states under the Federation of Malaysia.
Currently, the Employment (Amendment) Act 2022, which came into effect on Jan 1 this year in Peninsular Malaysia, among other things provides that working time will be shortened from 48 hours to 45 hours, paternity leave increased to seven days and maternity leave amended from 60 days to 98 days.
Also present was the Deputy Minister in Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala.
