KUCHING: It is high time for the state government to amend the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (SLO) in accordance with the Employment Act, especially on maternity and paternity leave.
President of Purple Lily Kuching Suraya Bujang said this entailed the extension of maternity leave allocations from 60 days to 98 days and a seven-day paternity leave for married male employees; to increase and improve the protection and welfare of workers in the country.
In conjunction with the Labour Day celebration on May 1, she hoped that the Sarawak government would accelerate the amendments to the SLO, as well as tackling sexual harassment and ensure no discrimination against women in the workforce.
Secondly, Suraya said, the minimum wage of RM1,500 should also apply to community leaders not just private sectors.
“Some community leaders do not have other sources of income and rely on the allowances given by the government.
“With the rising cost of living and in some areas, increases in the sizes of community that they have to serve, community leaders are doing their job beyond office hours. It’s timely for the government to review their allowances in line with the Malaysia Madani slogan,” she stressed.
