‘Monitor mandatory maternity leave for private sector’

KUALA LUMPUR: Monitoring should be carried out on private sector employers so that there would be no discrimination against female employees following the announcement of the proposed implementation of the mandatory period of maternity leave by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the 2018 Budget.

Datuk Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) expressed concern that the move would lead to different treatment for women employees.

“The 90- day maternity period is relevant, but I’m worried that private firms are likely to prefer male workers to prevent them from incurring financial losses and job productivity.

“So, the government should think of a way to make sure that there is no discrimination, so employers do not dismiss female employees,

The 90-day maternity period is relevant, but I’m worried that private firms are likely to prefer male workers to prevent them from incurring financial losses and job productivity. Datuk Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong)

but instead create opportunities equal to male workers,” she said when debating the Supply-Bill 2018 at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

At the 2018 Budget presentation on Friday, the prime minister declared 2018 as the Empowerment of Women Year and among the initiative was the proposal of the mandatory period of maternity leave for the private sector be increased from 60 to 90 days, similar to that of the public service sector.

Noraini also suggested that the government introduce an approach that companies having balanced men and women workers, be given tax reduction incentives.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting will resume today. — Bernama