By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 8: The government’s 5-year tax exemption to encourage more women to return to work after a career break should be extended to those from B40 and M40 groups at reasonable rates.
Sarawak Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the proposed strategy introduced by the Federal government under Budget 2023 will only benefit those whose name is listed in e-Kasih — a national database on poverty.
“Not many working women will benefit (from the assistance).
“Therefore, this strategy should be further strengthened by expanding a support network to B40 and M40 at reasonable rates and not only focus on those registered in e-Kasih if the government wants to keep women in the workforce.
“A support system in the form of subsidies in childcare while mothers go to work is a basic daily requirement,” she said in a statement today.
Fatimah also welcomed the announcement that the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) will introduce a special training programme to empower women’s role at the corporate leadership level.
“In the Peninsula, the percentage of women at the decision-making level including Board of Directors (BOD) members, has reached the target of 30 per cent except in the private sector.
“Thus, steps taken to empower women at the corporate leadership level are welcomed. We also hope that the special training programme by SC will cover Sarawak,” she added.
She further described the Budget 2023 as a “very welfare-oriented budget” with the big allocations for the welfare assistance.
“This is very helpful for poor people and low-income households with large families,” she emphasised.
Yesterday, Finance Minister Senator Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz when tabling the Budget 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat, announced tax exemption on income received from year of assessment 2023 to 2028 to encourage more women to return to work after a career break. — DayakDaily
