Amendments to Sarawak’s labour laws to be tabled in Parliament later this year

 

Human resources minister Steven Sim said Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg raised numerous issues during their meeting regarding the need for skilled labour, especially in the energy, aerospace and aviation sectors. (Sarawak Premier Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Amendments to the Sarawak Labour Ordinance will be tabled in Parliament later this year, says human resources minister Steven Sim.

The new labour law will ensure Sarawak’s workforce enjoys the same rights and protection as those in Peninsular Malaysia, the Borneo Post reported him as saying after he paid a courtesy call on Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.

Sim also expressed his gratitude to Abang Johari for aligning the Sarawak Labour Ordinance with the Employment Act 1955, ensuring Sarawak’s labour laws mirror those in Peninsular Malaysia.

He said Abang Johari raised numerous issues during his courtesy call regarding the need for skilled labour, especially in high-demand and growth sectors such as energy, aerospace and aviation.

The premier also emphasised the need for skills training to nurture talents, especially among the people of Sarawak and Malaysia, in these sectors.

Sarawak follows in Sabah’s footsteps by amending its version of the labour ordinance. Sim had tabled amendments to the Sabah Labour Ordinance for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on July 17.

Like Sabah’s amendments, Sarawak’s proposed changes aim to extend coverage to all workers, regardless of salary or employment type, and to increase maternity leave from 60 to 98 days. - FMT