Implementation of shorter working hours pushed to 2023, says HR minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of the amendments to the Employment Act 1955, which will see weekly working hours reduced from 48 to 45 hours, effective from Sept 1 has been postponed to Jan 1, 2023.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (pic) announced that the decision to postpone came after meeting with stakeholders who wanted to delay it.

“The stakeholders and industry players unanimously asked for the delay as they are in the economic recovery stage.

“The matter was also brought to the Cabinet this morning, and they have agreed to the postponement,” he told the press on Friday (Aug 26) at the Wisma HRDCorp.

Saravanan said the industry wanted to delay the reduced working hours as it will affect productivity and output.

He added the postponement will give the stakeholders and industry players more time to recover early.

He also said the issues surrounding foreign workers have now been resolved with source countries, and that the delay in the workers coming in was due to the process involved after a three-year hiatus.

However, he said that come January 2023, employers have to implement the reduced working hours “by hook or crook.”

The amendments to the Employment Act, which will see weekly working hours reduced from 48 to 45 hours, effective from Sept 1, are to safeguard the welfare of workers, in line with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.

The amendments would also allow employees to work flexible hours where they get to choose the location, time and days of work.

This would include flexibility to work from home during emergencies such as the Covid-19 pandemic.