More time needed for labour law amendments

The Human Resource Ministry is still in the process of consulting various stakeholders on proposed labour laws amendments, including the enactment of a standalone act for domestic workers.

Human Resource Minister M Kulasegaran (photo, above) said he had initiated the reforms five months ago, but more time is needed as there were many procedures involved in pushing through all proposed amendments.

”You know it’s not that easy when you want to amend an Act, it will take time.

”But I'm in the process of doing it," Kulasegaran told reporters when met at the Human Resource Development Fund Hari Raya open house in Kuala Lumpur today. 

Asked whether he is willing to meet migrant rights group Tenaganita over the proposed Domestic Workers Act, Kulasegaran said: “We also talk with other stakeholders. They are not the only stakeholders.”

”We discuss with all stakeholders. We've got the MEF, MTUC, other unions, Sabah and Sarawak. After that (consultation), the draft will be taken to the Cabinet for approval," he said. 

Tenaganita executive director Glorene Das (photo, above), at a separate press conference this morning, said the group had submitted in April its draft Bill for the Domestic Workers Act, but has yet to receive any response from the ministry.

”We sent the draft Bill to him and we even asked for a meeting with him, since some time in April. But we haven't got a response.

”It’s really important to have a consultation process, not only with NGOs and civil society, but also with workers' groups,” she said in noting the importance of incorporating a human rights framework into the proposed act. 

Pending the enactment of a new Domestic Workers Act, Tenaganita today urged the government to pass specific regulations to protect the rights of domestic workers under the existing Employment Act.

Glorene also claimed that the ministry has been unclear so far on whether improvements to better protect domestic workers' welfare will be incorporated into existing legislation, or separated into the new proposed law.

Aside from the main Employment Act 1955, Kulasegaran had said in April six other related Acts will be amended this year. 

They are the Sarawak Labour Ordinance Chapter 76, Sabah Labour Ordinance Chapter 67, Industrial Relations Act 1967, Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, Trade Unions Act 1959, and the Workers Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990. 

Earlier during the event, Kulasegaran launched the HRDF B40 Capacity Building Scheme - a new learning programme aimed to equip participants from B40 households with specific skills to boost their income and careers. 

He noted that Malaysia's workforce currently comprises 28 percent of skilled workers. The government has set a target of achieving 35 percent of skilled workers by next year.

Also present were HRDF chairperson Noor Farida Ariffin and CEO Elanjelian Venugopal. - Mkini