KUALA LUMPUR: A Sarawakian MP today asked why no amendments have been made to the Sarawak Labour Ordinance even though the Employment Act 1955 (Amendment 2022) has been enforced.
Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Stampin) said amendments need to be made to the ordinance so Sarawakian workers can enjoy the same rights and benefits as those in Peninsular Malaysia.
The DAP MP noted that the ordinance is a federal law and has to be amended in the Dewan Rakyat, but labour matters are under the purview of the state, an autonomy enjoyed by Sarawak.
He said a Sarawakian worker who earns more than RM2,500 would not enjoy any protection under both the ordinance and the Employment Act.
Sarawakian employers also do not need to pay overtime to these workers, whereas in the peninsula, only workers who earn more than RM4,000 in salary are not protected under the Employment Act.
Female workers in Sarawak also do not enjoy 98 days’ maternity leave, he said.
“Therefore, I would like to ask: what are the obstacles towards the amendment of this ordinance, and who do they come from?
“I urge that the amendments be expedited so that Sarawakian workers are no longer exploited,” he added during the debate on the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review.
On July 9, Borneo Post quoted Gerawat Gala, the state deputy labour, immigration and project monitoring minister, as saying that amendments to the ordinance would be submitted to the human resources ministry upon the resolution of several provisions of the law set to be reached by August.
Gerawat said the draft amendment to the ordinance, which also includes amendments to the Employment Act as well as applicable provisions of the law on minimum housing standards for workers, has been approved by the Sarawak state Cabinet.
He said the items in the amendments included increased maternity leave from 60 days to 98 days, a new provision for paternity leave of seven days, the reduction of weekly working hours from 48 hours to 45 hours, and new provisions against sexual harassment. - FMT
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