AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT ACT A BOON FOR LOCAL WORKERS

SHAH ALAM (Malaysia), Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Amendments to the Employment Act
1955 and the increase in the number of childcare centres run by the private
sector are expected to encourage the locals to take up employment in certain
sectors and minimise the country's dependence on foreign workers.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Maznah Mazlan said the amendments, among
others, would allow workers to work on shift or on part-time basis apart from
enjoying protection in terms of wage, welfare and annual leave, she said.

The amendments were being finalised and that the ministry was looking at
tabling them in parliament this year, she told reporters after visiting Proton
Holdings Bhd's childcare centre in Section 23 here Tuesday.

At the moment, there were 6.5 million people at the age of 15 to 64
comprising women, students, graduands, retirees and the disabled who had the
potentials to be absorbed into the job market, she said.

She hoped that more employers in the private sector would provide childcare
centres to encourage more women to take up employment.

She said there used to be 93 childcare centres registered nationwide but now
the number had gone down to 16.

"We are looking at optimising the contribution of women in the employment
sector, which currently stands at 46 per cent," she said.

On her visit Tuesday, Maznah said it was to look at the facilities provided
at the centre.

She said she was told that the centre would be moved to Proton's plant in
Tanjung Malim.

Meanwhile, Proton's human resources and administration group director Hasnah
Ismail said the company's childcare centre in Tanjung Malim would be three times
bigger than the existing one, which currently has 30 children.
-- BERNAMA