KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry will defer the implementation of the amended Employment Act 1955 from Sept 1, 2022, to Jan 1, 2023.
Its minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the decision was made after discussions with industry players and stakeholders, including chambers of commerce.
Among the key amendments include the extension of maternity leave allocations from 60 days to 98 days, reduced weekly working hours from 48 to 45 hours, and a seven-day paternity leave for married male employees.
"They have all said that they need more time, as we are now in the economic recovery phase.
"The ministry has discussed the matter with the cabinet, and they all agree to delay the implementation of the amendments to Jan 1, 2023," he told reporters today.
Saravanan said the three-month extension would allow industries to recover from the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the shortage of foreign workers.
He also said no further extensions would be given after Jan 1.
"We give employers a three-month notice in advance. We should be implementing it now, but we're giving employers more time to prepare.
"By hook or by crook, we will implement the amendments on Jan 1," he added.
The Employment (Amendment) Act 2022 was passed during the Parliament sitting in March.
The amendments, to be implemented in the peninsula and Labuan, would also allow employees to work flexible hours where they get to choose the location, time, and days of work.
This would include...
AIDS Healthcare Foundation will pay $1.44 million to resolve allegations that it violated federal law by submitting false or invalid codes to inflate payments from the Medicare Advantage program. ...