Key labour laws updated for Sabah and Sarawak in effect
PUTRAJAYA: The Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025 and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025 are in effect.
However, the Human Resources Ministry says Section IVA, which specifically addresses the minimum standards for workers' housing, accommodations and facilities, is excluded.
'Human Resources Minister Steven Sim ( pic ) has confirmed May 1 as the official date for commencement of the amendments.
'The Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinance Amendment Acts were gazetted on April 28.
'These amendments are significant as, for the first time since the formation of Malaysia, labour laws have been successfully standardised across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
'The standardisation includes three key legislations, namely the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265), the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation and Facilities for Workers Act 1990 (Act 446) and the Children and Young Persons (Employment) Act 1966 (Act 350),' the ministry said in a statement.
According to Bernama, it said the amendments to both ordinances aim to fulfil Malaysia's obligations towards the compliance of the country's labour laws with international labour standards.
Key changes in the amendments include an expansion of the ordinances' coverage, which now applies to all workers, extending beyond the previous limit of RM2,500 per month.
Additionally, the amendments introduce several important improvements for workers, including an increase in maternity leave, paternity leave for fathers, and a reduction in the standard workweek.
The amendments also introduce new provisions on flexible work arrangements, complaints on workplace discrimination and forced labour, sexual harassment, and workers' housing.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Ringgit likely to trade within RM4.22-RM4.23 against greenback next week
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit is likely to trade around RM4.22 to RM4.23 next week, said an analyst. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said that next week multiple United States (US) economic data will be out, namely the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) for the month of May which plays a key role in shaping the market. "While the data might show deceleration in inflation rate, the US Federal Reserve is likely to stay cautious as it is wary about the potential inflationary pressures arising from the tariff shocks. "Already, responses from the US Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Index survey indicated that businesses have become more pessimistic as the higher tariffs have affected the supply chains and resulted in higher operating costs,' he told Bernama. The ringgit ended the week higher against the US dollar, closing at 4.2270/2360 on Friday from 4.2530/2605 a week earlier. The local note traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. The ringgit rose vis-à-vis the Japanese yen to 2.9324/9390 from 2.9531/9585 and inched higher against the British pound to 5.7212/7334 from 5.7284/7385 a week earlier. However, it depreciated versus the euro to 4.8268/8371 at Friday's close from 4.8169/8254 at the end of last week. The ringgit traded mostly higher against ASEAN currencies. The local note improved against the Singapore dollar to 3.2862/2934 on Friday from 3.2938/3002 the previous week, edged higher versus the Indonesian rupiah to 259.5/260.2 from 260.4/261.1 and stronger vis-a-vis the Philippine peso to 7.58/7.60 from 7.62/7.64 a week before, However, it weakened versus the Thai baht to 12.9599/9947 from 12.9507/9790 last week. - Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Explain Fahmi Reza's travel ban, activist urges govt, cops
Wong Kueng Hui, director of the rights group Mandiri, called for the blacklist to be lifted immediately. PETALING JAYA : The government and the police were urged today to explain the travel ban imposed on satirical graphic artist and activist Fahmi Reza, who was prevented from taking a flight to Singapore this morning. Citizenship rights activist Wong Kueng Hui said Fahmi was barred from leaving the country on the orders of Bukit Aman (federal police headquarters) without any clear justification given. Fahmi was not a criminal but merely an artist who has been outspoken in criticising the government through his satirical artworks, said Wong, a Muda member who is coordinator of the Mandiri human rights organisation. He said in a statement: 'Mandiri stands in complete solidarity with Fahmi and calls for the blacklist to be lifted immediately and for the government to guarantee the people's right to freedom of movement, which is provided for under the law.' Wong, a Sabahan, was formerly declared stateless but finally received his MyKad in 2023 after 16 years of applying for Malaysian citizenship. He is active in championing the rights of stateless people. Earlier today, Fahmi said he was stopped by immigration officers before boarding a flight to Singapore, and informed that he was blacklisted. He said an immigration officer told him that the police had barred him from leaving the country. DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong also criticised the travel ban, saying it was uncalled for and would tarnish the reputation of the Madani government. Fahmi was denied entry into Sabah on May 29. He was arrested by Sabah police earlier this year in an investigation into one of his satirical works, depicting Sabah governor Musa Aman, which was later deemed to be seditious.
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Indonesia's FM calls for stronger Asean mechanisms after Vision 2045 adoption
JAKARTA/MANILA (Bernama): Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono has called for strengthening Asean's institutional mechanisms, including its diplomatic corps and central bodies, to effectively implement the Asean Community Vision 2045 adopted at last month's summit in Kuala Lumpur. At a meeting with the Committee of Permanent Representatives to Asean (CPR) and Timor-Leste's Ambassador to Asean at the Foreign Ministry here, he praised the progress achieved through Asean's cooperation frameworks, especially after the adoption of the Asean Community Vision (ACV) 2045. He said the long-term vision, adopted at the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur last month, outlines a strategic roadmap for the next two decades, envisaging a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred Asean. "We need to strengthen Asean mechanisms, including the CPR, and bolster the Asean Secretariat and Asean Headquarters in Jakarta to optimise our potential in addressing challenges within the region and globally,' he said. Sugiono also underscored the CPR's role in fostering community building, facilitating cross-pillar coordination, and engaging with Asean's external partners, as it is essential to achieving the goals of ACV. He further welcomed Timor-Leste's upcoming accession as Asean's eleventh member state later this year. - Bernama
