Big move: (From left) Pravin and Chow. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The appointment of two women as new Industrial Court chairmen will help fill the long overdue vacancies, says Steven Sim.
The Human Resources Minister said with the latest move, there are now 30% of women appointed to the Industrial Court.
The two new chairmen are former practising lawyers Pravin Kaur Jessy, 52, from Penang and Chow Siew Lin, 59, from Kuala Lumpur.
Both Pravin and Chow will be given a four-year contract to ensure “security of tenure”.
Pravin is also the first woman from the Sikh community to be appointed to the position.
Sim said the longer tenure would enable them to be more efficient in dealing with cases at the Industrial Court.
“This is the first time we have such a high percentage of women appointed as chairmen of the Industrial Court. Out of the current 22, there are now eight women.
“We want to give more opportunity to women with qualifications. What I expect – regardless of gender – is for them to uphold the equity in court,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Mother-of-triplets Pravin, when met after the announcement, said that after 29 years of practising in employment law and industrial relations, the appointment seems like a natural progression in her career.
“In terms of the laws, they are all there but the wheels of justice could move faster. With the changes in laws such as the minimum retirement age, things need to move at a quicker pace.
“Otherwise, claimants would be left out of what is due to them.
“I hope to receive the support of the staff as well as the cooperation of the Bar.
“All matters brought before me will be judged appropriately to ensure that equity and conscience continue to prevail,” she added.
Pravin also said she had been residing in Penang throughout and that uprooting herself to Kuala Lumpur is something she is looking forward to.
Chow, meanwhile, started her legal career as a litigation lawyer.
Prior to the appointment, she was practising in the areas of litigation, including industrial relations, as well as conveyancing, commercial and other matters.
