THE Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) has applauded a statement by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan that he has included seven days of paternity leave in the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021.
On March 10, 2022 Saravanan said that his ministry was waiting for approval from all Members of Parliament to increase the paternity leave from three to seven days.
“Currently, working fathers in Malaysia are not legally entitled to any paternity leave. As a result, many fathers cannot be with their wives and new-borns during and after childbirth to provide support and carry out their responsibilities,” WAO said in a joint statement signed by 55 non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“The government has proposed amending the Employment Act to introduce 3 days of paid paternity leave. This was not enough.
“Therefore, we commend the Minister’s decision to increase the paternity leave period to seven days in the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021, and call on members of parliament to support this provision when the Bill is tabled in the Dewan Rakyat this month.”
According to WAO this seven-day period will apply to private sector employees and is consistent with what fathers in the public sector currently enjoy.
“Various studies show that children with involved fathers have better social, emotional and cognitive development, and perform better in school,” it added.
“Introducing paternity leave also sends the message that caregiving is a shared responsibility. Such changes in social norms would help women stay in the workforce.”
WAO said that many countries have paternity leaves and according to a 2014 International Labour Organisation report, 79 out of 167 countries have laws that provide paternity leave.
“Adequate paternity leave will benefit children, families and the nation. It’s time for Malaysia to move forward as well.”
In addition to the WAO, the joint statement is endorsed by All Women’s Action Society (AWAM), the Association of Women Lawyers (AWL), IDEAS, EMPOWER Malaysia, Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (PROHAM), Tenaganita and Undi18, among others. – March 15, 2022
