Malaysia maintains WFH order in Putrajaya

The conditional MCO is very much in place in Putrajaya because there are still areas classified as ‘red zones’, said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

For other states, the National Security Council (NSC) would discuss with the Public Service Department director-general, as well as with the International Trade and Industry Ministry,  to determine the next course of action. 

“I was informed that the work-from-home policy remains for areas under the conditional MCO as there are still red zones in these states.  As for other states (under the recovery MCO), we will let NSC discuss with the relevant authorities,” Datuk Ismail said. 

The government had implemented the work-from-home order for those employed in the management and supervisory posts in both public and private sectors which started from October 22nd. 

The private sector involved in the policy are industries that are under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s list, said Malay Mail. 

The policy imposed for Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya, Sabah and Labuan affected about 800,000 private sector employees and 200,000 civil servants in management and supervisory roles. The policy was later extended to all states in the country. 

READ: Country should raise minimum wage, says the Malaysian Trades Union Congress

The classification of districts into coloured zones is to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A red zone (mukim merah) is one that has reported 41 local COVID-19 cases and above within the past 14 days and is subject to stringent SOP such as school closures and interstate or interdistrict travel bans.   

Employers, including those in the public sector, flouting the work-from-home policy may face legal action.