More workers in Malaysia to return to the workplace from April

From April 1, more workers in Malaysia can return to the workplace as the government lifts measures to allow businesses to run at full capacity.

The level of office attendance for civil servants would be subjected to the directives of the Public Service Department (JPA), while the private sector is allowed to have 100% of their staff back in the office for the operations, management, supervisory and support divisions, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Previously, workplaces in areas under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) — Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang and Kelantan — were subjected to a 30% cap on staff attendance. 

For workers in areas under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), employers were allowed to implement the work-from-home directive based on their own discretion. 

READ: Malaysia amending employment law to cater for WFH

The minister highlighted that the government has made the decision based on the recommendation of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, noting also that the manufacturing sector cannot work remotely. 

“Factory workers are often engaged in complex and technical work, with different staff having to work together simultaneously,” he said.