90 days maternity leave expected to raise productivity – Rohani

KUALA LUMPUR: The 90 days maternity leave for women employees in the private sector as proposed by the government in the tabling of the 2018 Budget will not only give more time for mothers to recover, but is also expected to prolong their career and increase their productivity level.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said it was apt for employers in the private sector to support the proposal as it would make their female staff more dedicated as their welfare was well-looked after.

“The more we take care of women employees, the more they will give back,” he told reporters after opening the WomenFest Malaysia 2017 at MATRADE building yesterday.

She said a longer recuperating period for women employees would ensure they were fit to return to work.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when tabling the 2018 Budget on Friday announced the maternity leave for the private sector would be increased from 60 to 90 days as implemented by the public sector.

He said the government would also make it mandatory for at least 30 per cent participation of women as board of directors in government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs), as well as statutory bodies by end of next year.

On the welfare of senior citizens, people with disabilities (PWDs) and children, Najib announced an allocation of RM1.7 billion for them, which included increasing allowance for senior citizens by RM50 to RM350 per month and allowance for PWDs to RM100.

Rohani said the ministry would carry out more programmes using the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) in an effort to further maximise programmes outlined in the budget to the target groups.

“There are many future benefits if we can do it through the NBOS way, for example, the allocation can be shared, we can get many more ideas, and I think with NBOS, all quarters can contribute enery and ideas,” she said.

Earlier in her speech, Rohani praised the organiser for providing a platform for women entrepreneurs to promote their products.

“As this festival is aimed at showcasing the many local and international beauty lifestyle business targeting woman, I look forward to see this festival held annually so that the effort to hype up this industry to nation's economy becomes an active kind,” she added.