No need for PAS to be 'hero' on headscarves issue at workplace - Hanipa

 

PARLIAMENT | An Amanah lawmaker said PAS MPs have failed to read the Employment Act 2021 amendments in a comprehensive context after they raised the issue of discrimination against Muslim women wearing headscarves at their workplace.

Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (Pakatan Harapan-Sepang) said the amendment bill, which bans any discrimination in employment, should be read in a broader context as it includes discrimination against women wearing headscarves.

“If the Section 69F is to be read more harmoniously (broader context), I believe the right to wear headscarves at the workplace is protected under this provision,” he said.

“There is no need for PAS to act as a hero by saying as though the Harapan administration did not (care),” he said during the policy stage debate of Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021 at Dewan Rakyat today. 

The new Section 69F empowers the secretary-general of the Human Resources Ministry to probe complaints relating to discrimination at the workplace, decide on related disputes, and make an order.

In his debate earlier, Che Abdullah Mat Nawi (PAS-Tumpat) said it appeared that the then Harapan administration had neglected discrimination against Muslim women with headscarves at the workplace despite the amendment bill being almost complete.

“During the Harapan administration, the issue raised by Pasir Mas MP (Ahmad Fadhli Shaari) just now on giving women workers the rights to their religious demands, appeared not to be given attention by the government then,” said Che Abdullah. 

The issue was raised by Fadhli, who wanted the government to take action against employers who do not allow women workers to wear headscarves.

As Hanipa continued his debate, Che Abdullah interrupted and accused the then Harapan government of perceiving it as a small issue.

“This is the right to implement religious demands. This is a big issue but Harapan looked at it as a small issue, as merely wearing a headscarf and perhaps some of them even think covering aurat is not important,” he said. 

Hanipa then responded sarcastically, saying his earlier explanation was too difficult for Che Abdullah to understand. 

“You do not understand what I explained. But I forgive you, perhaps you are having difficulty in comprehending what I said. Maybe the issue is too deep and you find it difficult to understand it,” he said.  - Mkini