[Malaysia] Employment Act amendment expands parental leave

Fathers in Malaysia will soon have an additional four days of paternity leave - an increase from the previous three days - taking their leave entitlement to a full week following an amendment to the Employment Act, Human Resources Online reports.

The Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) amendment was tabled and approved at the Dewan Rakyat sitting on March 21.

The amendment was approved "with a majority voice vote", according to Bernama

While tabling the amendment for second reading, further in the report Awang Hashim - Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Human Resources - said that the increase in paternity leave was "to allow more space for male workers to manage family affairs after welcoming their newborn".

Minister Awang also said that this eligibility will be limited to "only five births, regardless of the number of wives" and will take effect on the day of the birth.

Additionally, the Minister announced that mothers can also expect to have their maternity leave entitlement increased from 60 days to 98 days, which is in line with the International Labour Organisation Convention.

Source: Human Resources Online

(Links and quotes via original reporting)

Fathers in Malaysia will soon have an additional four days of paternity leave - an increase from the previous three days - taking their leave entitlement to a full week following an amendment to the Employment Act, Human Resources Online reports.

The Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) amendment was tabled and approved at the Dewan Rakyat sitting on March 21.

The amendment was approved "with a majority voice vote", according to Bernama

While tabling the amendment for second reading, further in the report Awang Hashim - Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Human Resources - said that the increase in paternity leave was "to allow more space for male workers to manage family affairs after welcoming their newborn".

Minister Awang also said that this eligibility will be limited to "only five births, regardless of the number of wives" and will take effect on the day of the birth.

Additionally, the Minister announced that mothers can also expect to have their maternity leave entitlement increased from 60 days to 98 days, which is in line with the International Labour Organisation Convention.

Source: Human Resources Online

(Links and quotes via original reporting)