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KUCHING, Sept 14: Stampin Member of Parliament (MP) Chong Chieng Jen questions why the Sarawak Labour Ordinance has not been amended despite the Employment Act 1955 (Amendment 2022) having been implemented.
Chong emphasised the importance of making amendments to the ordinance in order to ensure that Sarawakian workers are granted equal rights and benefits as their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia.
He pointed out that while the ordinance is federal law, matters pertaining to labour fall under the jurisdiction of the State government, which is the autonomy of Sarawak.
“I want to know, why until today, the Sarawak Labour Ordinance has not been amended so that the same rights and benefits are given to workers in Sarawak,” he said during a debate on the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review held today in Parliament in Kuala Lumpur.
Chong, who is also Padungan assemblyman, noted that a Sarawakian worker who earns more than RM2,500 would not enjoy any protection under both the Sarawak Labour Ordinance and the Employment Act.
He also noted Sarawakian employers are also not required to pay overtime to those workers, whereas in Peninsular Malaysia, only workers earning more than RM4,000 per month are not covered by the Employment Act.
He added that female workers in Sarawak also do not enjoy 90 days’ maternity leave.
“I want to know, what are the obstacles that hinder the amendment of the Sarawak Labour Ordinance, and who is stopping it?
“For the sake of the workers in Sarawak, I call for the amendment to the Sarawak Labour Ordinance to be expedited so that the workers in Sarawak are no longer exploited.
Meanwhile, on July 9, it was reported that the draft amendment to the Sarawak Labour Ordinance 1959, incorporating amendments to the Employment Act as well as applicable provisions of the law on minimum housing standards for workers, has already been agreed to by the Sarawak Cabinet.
Several rounds of meetings with the relevant stakeholders, such as employees and employers representatives, industry organisations, relevant ministries, and agencies, have been conducted to get their input and consensus on the amendments.
According to Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration, and Project Monitoring) Dato Gerawat Gala, the amendments include increased maternity leave from 60 to 98 days, new provision for paternity leave of seven days, reduction of weekly working hours from 48 to 45 hours, and new provisions against sexual harassment. — DayakDaily
