Bouquet for Najib’s Labour Day gifts

KUALA LUMPUR: The special prizes to 14 million workers announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday have received positive reaction from the community.

Union of Civil Service Employees (Cuepacs) president Datuk Azih Muda said he was proud to have a government that was concerned about the people.

“Najib’s promise shows that the people should give the government the mandate, not to mention this is a tribute to workers in all sectors.

“This is not just a promise, but the government’s ability to deliver what it says.”

He was commenting on the government’s Labour Day goodies, which came in the form of a minimum wage order policy, social security protection, welfare of the family of workers and preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Azih said an increase of RM60 million allocated to the Social Security Organisation brought the value of the agency’s interim aid amount to RM182 million.

Najib announced that the government would amend the law by the beginning of next year so that mandatory paternity leave of at least three days would be given to husbands in the private sector.

Universiti Malaya Family Development Centre Committee member Professor Dr Saedah Siraj described the mandatory allocated leave as great news for couples.

She said it would ease the burden of new parents welcoming their first child, especially those in the city, where most young families grapple with looking after their newborn.

The Association for Women’s Coalition for Family Institutions and Quality Education president Associate Professor Dr Rafidah Hanim Mokhtar welcomed the government’s efforts in prioritising family development.