PETALING JAYA: Over 100,000 working mothers could soon receive additional financial support during their confinement period through a proposed maternity leave assistance allowance, says Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
The Human Resources Minister said he had directed his ministry, through the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), to thoroughly review and fine-tune the proposed allowance, which is expected to benefit expectant mothers nationwide.
Ramanan said the initiative is part of the government’s commitment to support working women and recognise their vital role in driving the nation’s economy.
“Women are not just contributors. They are the main drivers of the national economy.
“More than 100,000 mothers on maternity leave across the country will stand to gain from this move,” he told reporters after launching the Dialogue and Sharing Programme: Workers as the Nation’s Pride here yesterday.
Ramanan said there is a slew of other programmes being planned under the ministry, such as the Traveller Scheme, which will benefit over 500,000 Malaysians who travel to Singapore for work on a daily basis.
“We cannot let them continue working across the causeway without protection.
“Currently, the ministry is in the final phase of introducing the Traveller Scheme to ensure that social security is upheld,” he said.
Ramanan also said the government is committed to ensuring a balance between economic growth and social justice.
“For us, workers are not just labourers. They are the soul of a nation.
“The workers’ well-being is the main component in ensuring an inclusive and sustainable national development,” he added.
On another matter, Ramanan said guidelines on the implementation of the work-from-home (WFH) policy is expected to be announced soon by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
He said the government is in the final stages of finalising the policy which will cover the public sector and government-linked companies (GLCs).
“It will be done in stages. For now, areas that might be involved are the Klang Valley, Penang, Johor and Kuching.
“Many multinational companies, large companies and banking institutions have adopted remote working arrangements in their respective workplaces.
“It will not have an impact (on productivity) because work done on computers can be completed at home and in offices,” he said.
