A RECENT International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank study has highlighted the importance of strong childcare systems.
The study found that an effective childcare system is necessary for economies to fully benefit from women’s potential.
Absence of childcare and high responsibility of unpaid domestic work also constrain women’s participation in the workforce.
Data on women’s care work is limited, but where it exists, it reveals an unpaid work gap of 3.5 hours for married women. It means married women on average spend 3.5 extra hours per day (more than men) to do unpaid care work.
May, 28, has been sending her child to a childcare centre in her office for two years, and is very happy with the arrangement.
“I work in a university library and we have a childcare centre that’s very structured and reliable. In fact, there is a long waiting list to get your child in. I am fortunate to not have to wait too long. To say that it’s convenient is an understatement.
“My husband and I spend less time in traffic, having to rush to the babysitter. And if I have to work late, I know where my 2-year-old is and I know she’s in good hands.
“I even pack her dinner sometimes, and take a break to feed her.”
May says many of her friends end up quitting their jobs because they can’t find a babysitter close by. She does not have to make that choice between career and family.
Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan, however, is of the opinion that childcare centres at the workplace is impractical, as the workplace is not a suitable environment for children to grow.
“While MEF supports the setting up of more community childcare and daycare centres to support and unlock the economic potential of women, these centres should be community-based as setting up childcare centres at the workplace is impractical.
“The workplace is not a suitable environment for children to grow. Children need to have a good and healthy environment for their mental and physical development.”
He says employers are reluctant to set up childcare centres at the workplace because of prohibitive cost and the cumbersome bureaucratic procedures involved in obtaining the necessary approval for setting a childcare centre.
“At present, there are too many regulations and restrictions in obtaining a permit to open a centre.
“The setting up of community childcare and daycare centres for the elderly nationwide can also provide unemployed graduates with the opportunity to run them.
“These centres will create jobs for women as caregivers. With proper training and certified qualifications, a career as a caregiver can be very lucrative.
“The government can encourage employees to utilise the community childcare centres by providing tax incentives for childcare services. Employers who subsidise the childcare cost of their employees should also be given tax incentives.”