Kula: We’re reviewing ‘outdated’ laws

IPOH: The Human Resources Ministry is reviewing all “outdated” legislation related to the protection and coverage of workers with a draft of the amendments to the Employment Act being finalised for discussions with stakeholders.

Minister M. Kulasegaran said his ministry is reviewing the Employment Act, noting that the laws are “outdated” and need to keep up with current times.

“A draft of the Employment Act has been finalised. We have begun discussions with stakeholders, namely the NGOs, unions, employers and other people who can give input to the Act,” he said after the opening of a job fair for the disabled community at Yayasan Sultan Idris Shah here yesterday.

On providing more job opportunities for the disabled community in the public sector, Kulasegaran said the government is doing its best to ensure they get employment.

The disabled, he said, also face limitations in education qualifications.

“But we will make adjustments to accommodate them,” he said, adding that only 0.6% to 0.8% of the government workforce are from the disa bled community.

Earlier, state Human Resources Committee chairman A. Sivanesan called on the federal government to review and amend the Employment Act to make it mandatory for the private sector to employ persons with disabilities.

“Private companies should be made to take in a minimum percentage of disabled people.

“The federal government needs to look into making an amendment to the Act or this will not end, no matter which government takes over in the future,” he said in his speech.