‘HEED CALL TO RAISE MATERNITY LEAVE’
Increasing it to 90 days will help boost productivity, says minister
THE private sector has been urged to take up the prime minister’s call to match the 90day maternity leave for civil servants.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the private sector should grant 90 days of maternity leave to their employees.
“Women should know that this is part of our rights as employees in the country,” said Rohani after launching the inaugural Women Fest Malaysia (WFM) at the Matrade Exhibition Convention Centre here yesterday.
Najib, when tabling the 2018 Budget on Friday, proposed that the private sector increase the mandatory maternity leave from 60 days to 90 days, as per the public sector.
Rohani said employers should heed Najib’s call as a way to treat employees well and to ensure better productivity.
“The more the welfare of women is taken care of, the more they will be able to give back to the company. Women work hard and if we are treated well, we will give back more than what we receive.”
She said the productivity of young mothers who returned to the workforce after their maternity leave might be affected if they did not get enough rest.
“This is a welcome move by the government. I hope the private sector will implement the move. Other countries are implementing the same thing (90-day maternity leave),” she said.
Earlier, during the launch of WFM, Rohani said more events should be held to encourage women’s participation in entrepreneurship.
She said this would be in line with the “Year to Empower Women” next year, which was announced by the prime minister during the tabling of the 2018 Budget.
“Various programmes should be held to develop and empower women entrepreneurs, especially housewives, single mothers and women who belong in the B40 category,” Rohani said.
Besides showcasing dozens of local businesses in the beauty and lifestyle industries, WFM also promoted “Pink October” to raise awareness on breast cancer.
The ministry, through the National Population and Family Development Board, opened a “Mobile Breast Cancer Check-up” booth to conduct breast cancer check-ups on visitors.
“Educating oneself on breast cancer is the key and we should go beyond wearing a pink ribbon to support the cause.
“Early check-ups and self-checking should be done to detect breast cancer early,” she said.