KUALA LUMPUR – The government is looking into extending the work-from-home (WFH) arrangement for both public and private sector employees, giving full pay to enable workers to care for sick family, and in the case of men, help their wives look after newborns.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this is to encourage shared responsibility, enable women to remain employed, and increase their work productivity.
“I suggest that the Public Service Department and Human Resources Ministry look into the feasibility of extending this facility,” he said in a pre-recorded Women’s Day 2021 speech broadcast on TV today.
He said Putrajaya is also studying an extension of the WFH arrangement to cover workers whose spouses just died, as matters related to such a loss need time to be settled.
He urged all parties to ensure a safe work environment, including measures against sexual harassment.
“(They must) also ensure that all aspects of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation are based on a gender-responsive budget analysis.”
He called on the public and private sectors to take advantage of government grants to set up childcare centres on work premises.
In line with the International Women’s Day 2021 celebration’s theme, “Women in leadership: achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world”, Muhyiddin said women’s voices should be heard at higher levels, and that they must be included as decision-makers.
On business facilities for women, he said the government will provide MyKasih Kapital incentives under MyDigital and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint.
“This is a capital injection for businesses, such as e-commerce or dropship, with a maximum capital of RM1,000 each for at least 2,000 eligible recipients.”
The government will also establish the Waja Squad with the participation of women, aimed at providing psychosocial support, raising awareness to put an end to violence against women, and boosting public knowledge on women’s rights. – Bernama, March 8, 2021
