Malaysia

Leave for Covid-19 vaccinations encouraged, says Saravanan

But Putrajaya will not compel employers by declaring special holiday

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 10 Apr 2021 5:26PM

Leave for Covid-19 vaccinations encouraged, says Saravanan
Datuk Seri M. Saravanan says giving leave to workers to get Covid-19 jabs would instil public confidence in the government’s inoculation drive. – The Vibes file pic, April 10, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR – The Human Resources Ministry agrees that employers should grant their employees leave from work to take Covid-19 vaccine shots. 

Its minister, Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the leave would give confidence to Malaysians to be vaccinated as some are still worried about the jab.

“However, it depends on the employer to give leave as the government can not declare a special holiday as it is not carried out on the same day,” he said at a media conference after attending the launch of Functional Adaptive Clothing by the Social Security Organisation (Socso) here today.

Recently, National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said there were several suggestions raised at a meeting of the Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee and the Human Resource Ministry, including a call for employers to give leave to their staff to take the shots.

Speaking on Socso’s functional adaptive clothing, Saravanan said 1,000 sets of such clothing, which was specially designed to help the disabled have more flexibility, would be distributed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) nationwide before it is commercialised.

He said it has received the support and cooperation of various parties including corporate bodies, which contributed 250 sets of the adaptive clothing to disabled people channelled through selected NGOs.

Socso Tun Abdul Razak Rehabilition Centre took the initiative to produce traditional Malaysian attires with the cooperation of renowned fashion designer Nurita Harith.

Earlier, the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah officiated the launching ceremony. – Bernama, April 10, 2021

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