Flexi Hours Can Put Women And Students To Work Says Ex Minister

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Former human resources minister Dr S Subramaniam with Najib Razak, his old Cabinet ‘boss’, at a dinner in Kuala Lumpur last night.PETALING JAYA: A former human resources minister believes employers should be open to flexible working arrangements to tap into a largely neglected segment of the labour force.
Dr S Subramaniam said there is a huge labour force that is not able to work full time, such as women and university students.
“Employers must change their mindset and tap into this labour force, particularly with the country’s labour shortage,” he said.
He said the legislative framework already exists in the Employment Act and Employees’ Social Security Act, with sufficient provisions on how to pay people based on flexible work arrangements.
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“It is all there. It may require employers to restructure their work operations but there is no reason why it can’t be done,” he said, adding that models from other countries could be considered.
Amendments to the Employment Act 1955 which come into force on Sept 1 would allow employees to apply for flexible working arrangements.
Subramaniam also spoke on forced labour and said the problems need to be solved soon.
“Malaysia isn’t the only option for these workers. It is important to enforce a culture to abide by these rules and the rights of workers, foreign or domestic are preserved,” he said.
Subramaniam, a former MIC president, served as human resources minister and later as health minister in the Cabinet of former prime minister Najib Razak and was speaking after a dinner to mark his being made a Tan Sri in the royal honours list.
Najib, who was at the event, said he had done more for the Indian community during his tenure as prime minister than “someone who held office for 22 years”, referring to Dr Mahathir Mohamad. - FMT

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