03/05/2026

NATIONAL 3 theSun on Sunday MAY 3, 2026

‘Allowance move not enough to meet needs’

KUALA LUMPUR: The introduction of the post-maternity leave allowance is expected to increase women’s participation in the active labour market, thereby aligning Malaysia with the global standards outlined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The Social Security Organisation (Socso) in a statement yesterday said the benefit will use a liability-sharing approach by absorbing part of the cost of living burden for employees during the additional leave without directly impacting the employer’s operations. According to Socso, the approach has been implemented in developed countries such as Spain, Portugal, France and China, which utilise social security funds to ensure the continuity of industry without neglecting the welfare of women after childbirth. “The implementation of this is not only critical in preserving the health of pregnant women but also serves as a buffer against the tendency of women to leave their careers after childbirth due to the rising cost of living for families. “Socso is determined to make the initiative a cornerstone for a more inclusive, fair, and progressive Malaysian labour market,” it said. The latest benefit will be implemented through amendments to the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800). Meanwhile, Socso said the implementation of the Socso Traveller Scheme through the Self-Employment Social Security Protection Act 2017 (Act 789) plays a role in filling the gaps in social protection involving cross-border workers. “This measure is expected to protect around 1.6 million individuals, including nearly 480,000 workers who commute daily through the Johor Causeway, to ensure they receive appropriate protection from previously unmanageable risks. “This is not just an extension of the scheme, but rather a manifestation of support for the sacrifices of hundreds of thousands of workers who face high risks for their survival,” the statement said. – Bernama participation in labour market’ ‘Initiative boosts women leave allowance to further empower women in the economy. Mohammad Rizan emphasised that the nation’s economic strength lies in the quality of the relationship between employers and employees. “Employers need to hold employees in high regard. Employees are not merely labour, but strategic assets that contribute to the growth of both the organisation and the nation.” – Bernama

Working mums leave employment due to lack of support systems such as childcare availability and workplace flexibility: NGO

reforms rather than a standalone solution. He also said childcare remains the biggest challenge, citing issues of cost, availability and trust in care facilities as key factors driving women’s exit from the labour market. “Many mothers simply don’t have a reliable childcare option, or it consumes too much of their income to make working worthwhile,” he said. Zulikhwan also pointed to rigid workplace structures and the “second shift” burden, where women continue to shoulder the bulk of unpaid domestic responsibilities even when employed. “Our finding also shows that women spend five times more doing unpaid domestic work than men. “This policy addresses financial pressure in a very narrow window, but it does not directly tackle these structural factors. “While it helps at the margin, it doesn’t go to the root of why women disengage from the workforce.” On the proposed allowance, secure workers’ futures. “There have been many accident cases involving cross-border workers, and some of them do not have insurance coverage, either personally or through their employers,” he told Bernama. For Luqman Khafa, 27, the government initiative would help ease workers’ burden in the event of misfortune. “For someone who commutes by motorcycle, protection initiatives like this are a necessity. In addition, the welfare and fatigue of commuting workers should be given due attention,” he said, and aligned policies. He stressed that Workers’ Day should not be merely symbolic, but a moment for stakeholders to assess progress and recalibrate approaches to secure the country’s economic future. Amid rising business costs and rapid digital transformation, Syed Hussain said sustainable businesses and quality jobs must go hand in hand, adding that human capital remains key to resilience. To tackle issues such as

SINGAPORE: Malaysia–Singapore cross-border workers have welcomed the government’s initiative to amend the Self Employment Social Security Act 2017 to extend protection under Social Security Organisation (Socso) to those working abroad. A logistics assistant at a service company in Singapore, Muhammad Amyrul Syahwan Abdullah, 23, described the move as timely, particularly amid current labour market uncertainties. Amyrul, who commutes 49km daily by public transport to his workplace in Singapore, said Socso protection would help PETALING The government’s introduction of a 30-day post-maternity leave allowance has been welcomed as a supportive measure for working mothers, but must be supported by wider reforms to address barriers to women’s workforce participation, said Women of Will chief operating officer Zulikhwan Ayub. He said the initiative helps ease immediate financial pressure faced by working mothers after maternity leave, but Zulikhwan emphasised that women do not leave employment due to a one-month income gap alone. “Women don’t leave the workforce because of a single month’s financial gap. “They leave because the system around them, such as childcare, workplace flexibility, and support structures, doesn’t hold,” he added. Zulikhwan said while the allowance may serve as a “bridge”, it should be seen only as an entry point to broader Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com JAYA:

Zulikhwan said while the allowance may serve as a ‘bridge’, it should be seen only as an entry point to broader reforms rather than a standalone solution. – AI GENERATED IMAGE BY SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

employment. “It’s about whether returning to work is sustainable. If childcare is unreliable, working hours are inflexible, or the workplace is not supportive, financial incentives alone will not keep women in the workforce,” he said. Zulikhwan suggested expanding eligibility coverage, linking the allowance with return-to-work support, and integrating childcare assistance such as subsidies or access to registered providers. He also called for simpler application processes to ensure accessibility for lower-income groups. National Labour Day celebration in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur on Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would amend the Self Employment Social Security Act 2017 to cover Malaysians working abroad, beginning with Malaysia– Singapore cross-border workers. The initiative is expected to benefit more than 480,000 workers who earn a living commuting across the Johor Causeway. Anwar said, on average, one Malaysian life is lost every week, or 54 deaths annually, among this group of cross-border workers. Meanwhile, the National Skilled Workers Organisation (Belia Mahir), in a separate statement, fully supports the government’s initiatives to empower the welfare and protection of workers in conjunction with the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration. Its president Mohammad Rizan Hassan said Belia Mahir welcomes the proposal to extend Social Security Organisation (Socso) protection to Malaysian citizens abroad, as well as the introduction of a post-maternity

Zulikhwan said its impact may be limited as it does not directly address these structural barriers. He raised concerns over implementation gaps, particularly for women in informal, gig-based and contract employment. “If eligibility is tied strictly to formal contributions, we may end up supporting those who are already relatively more secure, while missing those who are most vulnerable,” he said, adding that this could widen existing inequalities. He stressed that financial support alone is not the deciding factor for most women when choosing whether to remain in adding that he travels 35km daily by motorcycle from his home in Larkin, Johor, to his workplace in Singapore. Meanwhile, Muhd Syafiq, 38, a Malaysian working in the pharmaceutical sector in Singapore, expressed hope that awareness among cross-border workers regarding risks and available protection would be improved. “Awareness levels differ from person to person; some only become aware after experiencing an accident in Singapore, where treatment costs are high,” he said. In conjunction with the 2026

M’sia–S’pore cross-border workers welcome Socso cover

Call for strategic recalibration of tripartism to boost progress KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has urged a shift in tripartism to a more strategic, high-trust skills mismatches, graduate employability and the impact of artificial intelligence, MEF

proposed a next-phase tripartite framework centred on an evidence-based approach with stronger industry engagement at the sector level. The federation also called for faster policy implementation and balanced regulations that protect workers, while emphasising that social justice and economic competitiveness must progress together.

partnership that can help Malaysia navigate economic changes, demographic shifts and growing global competition. Its president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said cooperation between employers, employees, trade unions and the government must go beyond consultation, with stronger shared accountability