KUALA LUMPUR: New maternity support, widening social protection to workers abroad and a push for higher wages are among a slate of labour reforms aimed at strengthening workforce safety nets announced by the Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiled the goodies during the Labour Day celebration in Bukit Jalil attended by about a thousand workers.
He said he had given all relevant agencies a two-week deadline to submit reports on the implementation of each workers’ initiative announced yesterday.
He said the reports must be submitted to the respective ministers within three weeks before its brought to Cabinet.
“I do not want a repeat of past practices where implementation takes six months, a year or even longer.
“Today, the announcement is made; within two weeks the report must be on the minister’s desk, and must be presented for Cabinet consideration within three weeks,” he said.
Among the key announcements was the introduction of the Post-Maternity Leave Allowance (EPCB) under the Employment Insurance System Act 2017.
Anwar said the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) showed a worrying trend, dropping from 78.9% among women aged 25 to 29 to 68.6% for those aged 35 to 39.
“Maternity commitments are believed to be one of the contributing factors to this decline.”
The allowance will provide financial aid for up to 30 additional days of leave after the existing 98-day maternity leave period.
“The benefit is proposed at a rate of 80% of the assumed monthly wage of the insured woman, to be paid as a one-off,” he said, adding that more than 132,000 female workers are expected to benefit.
Anwar also announced the Progressive Acceleration for Capability and Employment (PACE) package worth over RM710mil to prepare the country for possible economic shocks and unemployment risks.
He said the package would focus on retraining workers, strengthening social protection and improving job placement efforts.
Under the initiative, more than RM580mil from the Employment Insurance System (EIS) fund would be used to strengthen worker protection through PERKESO.
The government will also allocate RM100mil under the HRD Yakin Madani programme through HRD Corp and MyFutureJobs to support training and job placements for youths and vulnerable groups.
To support gig workers, RM20mil has been channelled to the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) for training programmes aimed at diversifying skills and strengthening social security protection.
TalentCorp will also receive RM10mil for an Industrial Training Matching Grant to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups take on industrial trainees.
The Prime Minister also announced plans to extend PERKESO protection to Malaysians working overseas, beginning with cross-border workers commuting between Malaysia and Singapore.
He noted that an average of one Malaysian cross-border worker dies every week, or 54 annually.
“The government will strengthen the existing legal framework, including amending the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017, to enable coverage to be extended to Malaysians working abroad,” Anwar said.
The initiative is expected to benefit more than 480,000 workers.
