KUALA LUMPUR: The number of complaints related to maternity leave and allowances dropped by over 30% in 2025 compared to 2024, says the Deputy Human Resources Minister.
Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said only 41 complaints related to maternity leave and allowances were received in 2025, compared to 67 such complaints in 2024.
He said the decline shows the effective enforcement of the extended 98-day maternity leave policy, which was introduced back in January 2023 for Peninsular Malaysia and May 2025 for Sabah and Sarawak.
Khairul also said female labour force participation rose slightly to 56.8% in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 56.5% in the first quarter of 2025.
“Currently, exact data on female labour participation or average wages before and after the extension of maternity leave to 98 days is not available.
“However, complaint statistics on maternity leave or allowance show a notable decline,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 6).
To support this trend and help employers, Khairul said the government is studying the possible introduction of a post-Maternity Leave Allowance (EPCB) under the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso).
He said EPCB would cover extended recovery leave costs for female employees who require additional leave after the 98-day maternity leave.
“Benefits proposed at 80% of assumed monthly wages, paid from Kumpulan Wang Insurans Pekerjaan (KWIP) funds, without burdening government allocations or company operations.
“This helps employers retain experienced workers and prevents cost discrimination against hiring women,” he added.
Khairul was responding to a question from Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng) on the latest data on the female workforce and how the 98-day extended maternity leave policy has affected their participation in the workforce.
