PUTRAJAYA: Employees in Sabah and Sarawak can soon look forward to longer maternity and paternity leave, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

This follows the Prime Minister's announcement that the Bornean states have agreed to streamline their respective labour ordinances with provisions under the Employment Act 1955.

"Maternity leave for working mothers in Sabah and Sarawak will be increased from 60 to 98 days (in line with) the Act.

"Working fathers there will also get seven paternity leave days," he said at the launch of the national-level Labour Day celebrations here on Wednesday (May 1).

The increase in maternity and paternity leave came into force on Jan 1 last year, following amendments via the Employment (Amendment) Act 2022.

Additionally, Anwar said the changes to the respective labour ordinances in Sabah and Sarawak will also include better protection against discrimination and sexual harassment at work.

Anwar said Sabah and Sarawak had agreed to amend the Sabah Labour Ordinance 1949 and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance 1952 respectively, which will be tabled in the next Parliament meeting.

Parliament is scheduled to meet from June 24 to July 18.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/01/sabah-sarawak-to-increase-maternity-and-paternity-leave-says-anwar