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PETALING JAYA: While amendments to the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) can be seen as progress, gaps remain, said Women’s Aid Organisation deputy executive director Yu Ren Chung.

He said while the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021 includes significant reforms that will positively impact millions of workers and families, many issues still need to be addressed.

The Bill initially increased maternity leave from 60 to 90 days and paternity leave from three to seven days.

During the debate on the Bill, the Dewan Rakyat further increased maternity leave to 98 days, in line with international labour standards. “Creation of paternity leave is a milestone policy development, and seven days is a good first step.

“Paternity leave will help fathers play their part during the first days following childbirth, and help change norms towards men playing more equal roles at home,” he told theSun.

Yu said that Sections 44A and 81G, which extend maternity benefits and sexual harassment protections to all workers regardless of income, have been deleted.

“The explanatory statement of the Bill notes that this is because the blanket wage cap is being lifted. On March 23, Deputy Minister of Human Resources Datuk Awang Hashim said the wage cap will be removed through a Minister’s Order.

“If the order is not made, the Act would not apply to workers earning above RM2,000. Thus, the ministry must produce the order for scrutiny and enactment without delay.”

In addition, the Bill prohibits employers from terminating the employment of a pregnant employee, except under specific circumstances.

“The Bill empowers the Labour Department director-general to investigate employer-employee disputes on discrimination. However, it does not prohibit discrimination per se.