THE number of complaints related to maternity leave and allowances dropped by more than 30% in 2025 compared with 2024, says Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.
The Deputy Human Resources Minister said only 41 complaints related to maternity leave and allowances were received last year, compared with 67 complaints in 2024.
He said the decline reflects effective enforcement of the extended 98-day maternity leave policy, which was introduced in Peninsular Malaysia in January 2023 before being expanded to Sabah and Sarawak in May 2025.
Khairul also said female labour force participation rose slightly to 56.8% in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 56.5% in the same period last year.
He noted that data on female labour force participation and average wages before and after the extension of maternity leave to 98 days is currently unavailable.
Meanwhile, Khairul said the government is studying the possibility of introducing a post-maternity leave allowance (EPCB) under the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO).
He added that the EPCB would cover extended recovery leave costs for female employees who require additional leave after the 98-day maternity leave period.
“Benefits are proposed at 80% of assumed monthly wages, paid from the Kumpulan Wang Insurans Pekerjaan (KWIP) fund, without burdening government allocations or company operations.
Khairul was responding to a question from Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng) regarding the latest workforce data and how the extended 98-day maternity leave policy has affected women’s participation in the workforce.
