KUALA LUMPUR: The government says its decision to defer the implementation of amendments to the Employment Act 1955 to early next year is due to the shortage of workers.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said implementing the amendments at a time when employers were resolving the issue would only pile "pressure" on them.
He said the request by employers to postpone the implementation was "rational".
"The workforce issue should be resolved in one or two months.
"Their request is rational. They are dealing with the workforce issue and if we were to implement it (now), they will face bigger challenges," he said here today after opening the 23rd Conference and Exhibition on Occupational Safety and Health 2022.
Present was National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health president Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong.
Saravanan said he had spoken to the Malaysian Trades Union Congress after the latter expressed disappointment over the postponement.
He said the decision was made in the best interest of all parties.
The government initially announced to enforce the amended Employment Act from Sept 1.
Among the key amendments are the extension of maternity leave from 60 days to 98 days, reduced weekly working hours from 48 to 45 hours, and seven-day paternity leave for married male employees.
Saravanan said to date, there were no issues raised on employing foreign workers.
He said the country would receive 47,000 foreign workers, with 19,000 from Nepal alone.