KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to the Sabah Labour Ordinance will bring it in line with the Employment Act 1955.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the amendments would ensure the country's labour laws complied with international labour standards, particularly the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work 1998.
He said this will enhance Malaysia's image and attract more foreign investors.
"Since 1965, the ordinance has only been amended once in 2005. This is the second amendment, after almost 20 years.
"The historic amendment represents nearly 20 years of efforts to harmonise the rights and protection of workers in Sabah and the peninsular under the Employment Act," he said at a press conference at the Parliament building today.
He said the amendment to the Sarawak Labour Ordinance to bring it in line with the Employment Act had received approval from the Sarawak government and the bill was being drafted.
He said the amendment bill was expected to be presented in the next Parliament session.
"The ministry is confident the amendments to both ordinances will have a significant positive impact on the welfare and rights of workers in Sabah and Sarawak, thereby enhancing Malaysia's international image."
Earlier, Sim tabled the first reading of the amendment bill in the Dewan Rakyat.
The bill aimed to align the ordinance with international standards and practices, as required by the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, the Malaysia-United States Labour Consistency Plan and the ILO.
This move is also in line with efforts to comply with the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Amendments to the Sabah Labour Ordinance include increasing maternity leave from 60 to 98 days, introducing seven days of paternity leave, reducing work hours from 48 hours to 45 hours a week and introducing flexible work arrangements.