Rohani: 90 days maternity leave will increase productivity

KUALA LUMPUR: The 90 days maternity leave for women employees in the private sector as proposed by the government in Budget 2018 will not only give more time for mothers to recover from childbirth, but is expected to prolong their careers and increase their productivity levels at the workplace.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim said it was only right for employers in the private sector to support the proposal as it would help make their female staff more dedicated once they knew their welfare was being well-looked after.

“The more we take care of women employees, the more they will give back,” she told reporters after opening the WomenFest Malaysia 2017 at the MATRADE building here yesterday.

She said a longer recuperating period for women employees would ensure they were fit to return to work after the 90-day period.

Prime Minister Najib Razak when tabling Budget 2018 on Friday announced that maternity leave for the private sector would be increased from 60 to 90 days as implemented by the public sector.

Rohani said the ministry would carry out more programmes using the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) in an effort to further maximise programmes outlined in the budget for these target groups.

“There are many future benefits if we can do it through the NBOS way. For example, the allocation can be shared, we can get many more ideas, and I think with NBOS, all quarters can contribute ideas,” she said.

Earlier in her speech, Rohani praised the organiser for providing a platform for women entrepreneurs to promote their products. -FMT