Malaysia passes bill to increase maternity leave from 60 to 98 days

Malaysia has passed an employment bill which will oversee the increase in maternity leave from 60 to 98 days, in line with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.

The bill, which was passed with a unanimous vote, would ensure women employees get enough rest and form strong bonds with their child, noted Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Awang Hashim, reports Bernama. 

“Besides that, it is to take care of the safety and health of women workers as well as the proper growth of children, and encouraging women’s participation in the labour market,” he added. 

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“This increase also takes into account the factor that most neighbouring countries have given 90 days or more maternity leave, for example, Indonesia, which gives 90 days, South Korea also gives 90 days and our trading partner, Japan gives 98 days,” he said. 

The longer duration of maternity leave could also protect women workers while keeping them in the labour market, as well as attract more women to enter the job market, he added.