Govt to propose new amendment for flexible working arrangements

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is looking towards implementing flexible working arrangements between employers and employees for the post-Covid-19 new normal, says Deputy Human Resource Minister Awang Solahudin Hashim.

“The ministry plans on introducing a new amendment that will detail the flexible working arrangement in line with the new normal post-Covid-19.

"This includes the flexibility in working hours, working days and workplace, where it has to be agreed upon by employers and the employees," he said when answering a question raised by Jugah Anak Muyang (IND-Lubok Antu) in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

He said employees must put in writing to employers to change their existing employment contracts to allow the implementation of the new flexible working arrangements.

He added that the implementation of the flexible working arrangement would help ease the daily expenditure of employees in connection with work.

Awang also informed lawmakers that Cabinet had approved implementation of "floor wage" or minimum wage of RM1,200 for employees at all levels.

At present, he said the RM1,200 floor wage had been implemented in 56 city councils nationwide compared to the previous minimum wage of RM1,100.

"The proposals have been approved by the Cabinet, and God willing, the amendments (the Employment Act 1955) will be tabled in Parliament in this session," he added.

On weaning the nation's dependence on foreign labour, he said the government had decided to limit foreign workers in all but three sectors.

“We have decided to allow foreign workers for only three sectors, namely the construction, agriculture and plantations sector.

“We want the other sectors to be filled up by locals.

"This will be part of our guidelines to decrease foreign worker intake, ” he added.

Awang said the move was necessary to ensure job opportunities for locals following the economic impact due to Covid-19 global pandemic.

At present, he said that there were some 2.1 million registered foreign workers in the country.