WFH directive: Employers can't enforce wage cut, forced or unpaid leave

PETALING JAYA: Employers are not allowed to cut wages, force employees to use their annual leaves or take leave without pay following the government's work from home directive, says Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (pic).

"This is in line with the order and statement issued by the ministry during the movement control order (MCO)," said the Human Resources Minister in a statement on Thursday (Oct 22).

The government's work-from-home directive, which will affect a million workers in the public and private sectors, is aimed at containing Covid-19 infections in areas placed under the conditional MCO.

Those who are working from home beginning Oct 22 until the conditional MCO is lifted in Selangor, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan are mainly employed in the management and supervisory posts.

The International Trade and Industry Ministry said it would allow up to 10% of those in management and supervisory level to work on-site under the directive.

They will also only be allowed at their workplaces for four hours from 10am-2pm for three days a week.

Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman also announced that a maximum of 30% staff would be allowed to physically present all public sector offices under the conditional MCO.

Saravanan, however, said employers could discuss with their staff on any of their action or decision for the mutual benefit of both parties.

"For any further clarification, they can directly contact the Labour Department Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) at 03-88862352/03-88862409/03-88889111.