Contract Workers In Sabah To Also Get 98 Days Maternity Leave

---

 
All female employees in Sabah’s private sector, whether permanent or contract-based, will be entitled to 98 days maternity leave instead of 60 previously. (Rawpixel pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: The increase in maternity leave from 60 days to 98 days under the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Bill 2024 will apply to all female employees in the state’s private sector, whether permanent or contract-based.
Deputy human resources minister Abdul Rahman Mohamad said this aligns with the International Labour Organization’s convention which recommends a minimum 14 weeks of maternity leave.
“The amendment also introduces a seven-day paternity leave provision (unrecorded leave) for married male employees, capped at five childbirths, thus ensuring private sector male employees enjoy benefits similar to those provided to civil servants.
“The ministry views this facility as essential to enable husbands to support their wives during childbirth, stabilise their emotional well-being, care for the newborn and handle other matters such as birth registration,” he said when winding up the debate on the bill in the Dewan Negara today.
The bill was passed with a majority voice vote after being debated by four senators.
Also passed was the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Bill 2024, aimed at bolstering the country’s preparedness against future infectious disease threats.
Deputy health minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the amendments include a clause empowering health officers to use “force” to ensure compliance with their directives.
“The ‘force’ strictly refers to verbal instructions or orders. It does not involve physical actions such as hitting, coercing or detaining individuals and remains consistent with fundamental rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“Authorised officers are trained personnel who must act within enforcement guidelines to prevent power abuse,” he said while winding up the debate on the bill.
The bill, which also empowers officers to order individuals infected with an infectious disease to undergo isolation or surveillance, was passed after debates by 15 senators. - FMT

---