Gerawat: State govt aware of concerns, queries over delay in tabling Sarawak Labour (Amendment) Bill 2024

KUCHING (July 18): The Sarawak government acknowledges the concerns and queries raised regarding the delay in tabling the Sarawak Labour (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the current Parliament sitting, said Datuk Gerawat Gala.

The Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) said the draft of the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, 2024 which was submitted to the Ministry of Human Resources end of April this year is undergoing a thorough and meticulous review, vetting and refinement by the Ministry of Human Resources, Attorney-General’s Chambers, and Sarawak State Attorney-General to ensure its integrity, fairness and relevancy to the needs of all stakeholders.

“This review is almost completed, and the said Bill should be ready for tabling in the next sitting of Parliament when the second reading of the Sabah Labour Ordinance Amendment Bill is likely to be scheduled,” he said in a statement.

The Sabah Labour Ordinance Amendment Bill tabled in Parliament on Wednesday is only for its first reading and yet to go through its second and third reading before it can be approved, he pointed out.

Currently, there are a few pending policy and legal issues to be resolved by the Sarawak government arising from engagement with federal Ministry of Human Resources and Attorney General’s Chambers that require careful consideration and resolution, he stressed.

These issues, he added, are being addressed and resolved urgently with utmost diligence.

“We assure the delay is not indicative of neglect or inefficiency, but rather a testament to Sarawak government’s dedication to ensuring that the Bill we table is thoroughly vetted and refined.

“Our goal is to present legislation that is high-quality, effective and provides a solid legal framework for the continued development and prosperity of Sarawak,” said the Mulu assemblyman.

In a press statement dated July 17, 2024, the federal Minister of Human Resources Steven Shim Chee Keong said the standardisation of Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Sarawak Act 264) and the Employment Act 1955 has been agreed to by the Sarawak government and is now in its detailed drafting process.

The Sarawak Labour Ordinance Amendment bill is expected to be tabled in the next Parliament sitting.

Gerawat also expressed confidence that the amendment to the ordinances of Sarawak and Sabah will have a big impact on the welfare and rights of workers in the two Borneo states.