Amended SLO to boost protection, benefits, rights of workers in S’wak, says Bandar Kuching MP

KUCHING (Sept 20): The tabling of Sarawak Labour Ordinance (SLO) in Parliament this year end is a long-awaited good news for workers in Sarawak, said Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.

He said this announcement by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim was made after getting the principle consent and approval from the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the state Cabinet.

Yii said that the SLO will be amended to be aligned with the Federal Employment Act 1955, after accelerated efforts between the federal ministry and the Sarawak government.

“This amendment has been long awaited and since the current minister took office in December 2022, it became one of his main priorities due to its importance.

“Through the amendments, it will ensure the workers in Sarawak will get better protection, benefits and rights, similar to our counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.

Yii, who is a political secretary to Sim, explained that such rights include an increase of maternity leave for working mothers from 60 days to 98 days, an implementation of 7 days paternity leave, overtime benefits, additional of non-discriminatory clauses at work, flexible working hours arrangements, reporting of sexual harassment and other improvements as well.

“Before this, only a Sarawakian worker who earns less than RM2,500 can enjoy the protection from both the ordinance and the Employment Act.

“But through this amendment, the threshold will be increased and coverage and protection will be expanded to all workers earning RM 4,000 and below,” he said.

Yii also pointed out the Human Resource Ministry had earlier tabled the Sabah Labour Ordinance in the last Parliament sitting for its first reading which also ensures better protection and rights for Sabahan workers.

“So if these amendments to both the Sabah and Sarawak Labour ordinances are passed in Parliament, we will see that after so many years, our workers in both our regions will get better protection, benefits and rights, similar to our counterpart in Peninsular Malaysia.

“This is something that has been fought for by workers unions in our region for many years and should receive a bi-partisan support from all MPs for the benefit of our workers who are the backbone of our economy,” he said.

Sim on Thursday announced the SLO will be tabled in Parliament later this year, and he thanked Abang Johari for ensuring that the SLO is aligned with the Employment Act 1955, similar to the employment laws in Peninsular Malaysia.