Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Bill set to benefit one million workers

Facebook
X
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Chong Chieng Jen, Chairman of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak (2nd from left) and others Members of Parliament from Sarawak holding the The Labour Ordinance of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2024 during a Parliment session today.

LET’S READ SUARA SARAWAK/ NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE E-PAPER FOR FREE AS ​​EARLY AS 2 AM EVERY DAY. CLICK LINK

KUCHING: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen has called for a speedy implementation of the Labour Ordinance of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2024 once passed by parliament.

The amendment is poised to benefit approximately 1 million workers in Sarawak, providing them with enhanced rights and benefits.

“Workers in Sarawak have waited long enough, and each day of delay is another day of unfair treatment,” he said.

The Bill is expected to undergo its second reading in parliament on Thursday, with the likelihood of being passed on the same day.

In a statement on Wednesday, Chong expressed hope that once the Bill is passed and receives Royal consent, the Minister of Human Resources would quickly gazette it for immediate implementation.

Its introduction has been eagerly anticipated by Sarawak’s workforce, he said, welcoming the resolution of differences between the state government and the Ministry of Human Resources.

He said the prolonged delay in the implementation of the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2024 had been detrimental to workers.

The delay had unnecessarily prolonged a disparity in employment rights between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

“As Sarawak strives to become an advanced state by 2030, it is imperative that workers’ rights here match, if not exceed, those of their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia,” he added.

Key improvements in the Bill include raising the threshold for monthly salary qualification for protection under the Ordinance to RM4,000, up from the previous RM2,500.

This change will entitle more workers to overtime pay, a 45-hour workweek, and other protections under the Sarawak Labour Ordinance.

Additional provisions include protection against workplace sexual harassment, 98-day maternity leave, seven-day paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, and restrictions on the termination of pregnant employees.

Related News

Most Viewed Last 2 Days