Sabah backs move to amend Labour Act
Published on: Thursday, May 09, 2024
By: Larry Ralon
Hajiji presenting the State Worker of the Year Award, under the Disabled Person Category (OKU) to an educator, Dr Jailani Haji Idris.
Kota Kinabalu: The State Government fully supports the amendment to the Sabah Labour Ordinance (OBS) to ensure better and equal economic benefits and opportunities like other states in Malaysia.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the OBS had been in forced since 1950 and after 40 years, the first amendment was made in 2005.
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He said 19 years is long and the law needs to be improved, especially one that involves the welfare of employees and the needs of employers to conduct business.
“There is no doubt a more up-to-date law will be able to attract more foreign companies to come and invest more confidently and comfortably in Sabah.
“The State Government is also in dire need of a labour legislation that is relevant and suitable to the current labour situation,” he said.
He said this digital transformation has created a new type of job such as gig worker which requires legislation that allows the industry to move along with the change.
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The proposed amendment this time would provide comprehensive, fair and equitable benefits to every employee and employer, equivalent to existing legislation in peninsula.
He said among the important aspects is firstly, coverage is extended to all employees regardless of salary limit or type of employment;
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Second, maternity leave is increased from 60 days to 98; third, fathers are also given paternity leave for 7 days and it is eligible for all legal wives but for the first five children only; and the working week is reduced from 48 hours per week to 45 hours per week.
“It involves 12 major amendments to 62 clauses involving 75 per cent of the entire OBS.
Therefore, I and the State leadership place high hopes on the Human Resource Ministry so that the proposed OBS Amendment Bill this time can be tabled at the next Parliament session so that it can be implemented soon as possible so that workers and employers in Sabah can enjoy the benefits,” he said.
Hajiji is confident the amendment would raise the image of Sabah at the international level, especially in relation to issues of “human rights” and “labour rights”, the issue of eliminating discrimination and also the issue of eradicating forced labour and child labour.
He said the amendment would also make it easier for Malaysia, especially Sabah, to explore and penetrate a larger market through the “Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership” (CPTPP) involving 11 member countries, the result of which will attract more investors to come, thus further creating more job opportunities in Sabah.
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