What we need to do is to redesign and reconfigure the Employment Act through which we, as employers both in the public and private sectors, can introduce new measures in our respective organisations to encourage more women to work and to stay on as workers as part of the national workforce.
Oh my…
DPM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called for amendments to be made to the Employment Act 1955, so that Malaysia will become more internationally competitive and so that more women will join the workforce. Apparently, Malaysia has about 46% of women participation in the workforce, and developed nations have about 70%. So what to do? Amend the Employment Act 1955.
Of course, it’s extremely laudable to want to create flexi-work schemes through new amendments to the Act, but am I not mistaken in thinking that, for the most part, the Act is applicable to those who earn up to RM1,500 only? Will this also change?
What’s more, the DPM also talked about how he admires women workers, stating that women in South East Asia comprise of a chunk of entrepreneurs. What has the Employment Act got to do with entrepreneurs? Does this have anything to do with his making these statements at the Women’s Summit 2008?
And… with labour matters, amendments are being called for all the time (by the government). Wasn’t there a call for a change to the Wages Councils Act 1947? What has happened? Wasn’t there a call to create new law to make ‘professionals’ liable for occupational accidents? What has happened? When will these bills be tabled (and, as importantly, published in the Gazette)? The one and only call not made by the Government, something called on for more than ten years, the call for a minimum wage, that has been rejected.
So… EA amendments to make Malaysia competitive and women participation in the workforce increase? I’ll believe it when it happens.
Posted on 27/08/2008
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