Employment Act

Following series consultation meetings, Decent work campaign produced 44 proposed amendments to Employment Act 1955 with 7 key proposals.

1.1) Employment Act for all

The Employment Act should cover all local and migrant workers, foreign spouses of Malaysians who work and refugee. The salary cap should be removed.

1.2) 40 hour of work

The Employment Act must adhere to the international standard and reduce the maximum weekly working hour from 48 hours to 40 hours (5-day work

1.3) 98 days maternity leave

An employer has an obligation to ensure mothers and children get the best start in life.

1.4) End subcontracting activities

The growth of contracting is an attack on the job security of working people. 

1.5) No discrimination

Employer should not discriminate against a job seeker or worker on the grounds of gender, religion, race, language, disability, trade union, marital status, pregnancy, parental status or citizenship.

1.6) Stop sexual harassment

All code of conduct should be fully enforced to curb sexual harassment.

1.7) Protect migrant workers from exploitation

The government should protect migrant workers’ right to enjoy equal benefits stipulated in labour laws, for example to join union and seek redress.

You can also click HERE to download our full proposal on Employment Act.

The proposals were endorsed by 58 trade unions, migrant worker organisations and NGOs:

  1. Amalgamated Union of Employees in Government Clerical and Allied Services (AUEGCAS)
  2. Association of Bank Officers Peninsular Malaysia (ABOM)
  3. Beverage Industry Executive Staff Union
  4. Electronic Industry Employees Union Eastern Region
  5. Electronic Industry Employees Union Northern Region
  6. Electronic Industry Employees Union Southern Region
  7. Electronic Industry Employees Union Western Region
  8. Electrical Industry Workers’ Union
  9. Food Industry Employees’ Union
  10. Genting Malaysia Bhd Executive Union
  11. Insurance Industry Employees Union
  12. Kesatuan Kakitangan Petroliam Nasional Berhad (KAPENAS)
  13. Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Amanah Ikthiar
  14. Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Dipsol (M) Sdn Bhd
  15. Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Perindustrian
  16. Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Perkilangan Perusahaan Makanan
  17. Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Perusahaan Kumpulan UMW
  18. Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Southern Waste
  19. Kesatuan Penyelia-Penyelia Projek Lebuhraya Usahasama Bhd
  20. Kesatuan Pencantuman Pekerja
  21. Malayan Nurses Union
  22. Malaysian Rubber Board Staff Union
  23. Metal Industry Employees Union (MIEU)
  24. National Union of Commercial Workers
  25. National Union of Petroleum, Chemical Industries Workers
  26. National Union of Seafarers Peninsular Malaysia(NUSPM)
  27. National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP)
  28. National Union of Telecommunication Employers (NUTE)
  29. National Union of Transport Equipment and Allied Industries Workers (NUTEAIW)
  30. National Union workers in the Shoe Manufacturing Industries
  31. Paper & Paper Products Manufacturing Employees Union
  32. Penang Port Workers Union
  33. Printing industry employees union peninsular Malaysia
  34. Sabah Medical Services Union
  35. Timber Employees’ Union Peninsular Malaysia (TEUPM)
  36. Union of Employees of Port Anciliary Services Supplier
  37. Union of Employees of Construction Industry (UECI)
  38. Union of Employees in Private Medical Health Services
  39. Union of Employees in Trade Unions (UETU)
  40. Union of Pos Malaysia Clerical Workers (UPCW)
  41. University of Malaya General Staff Union (UMGSU)
  42. UNI – Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC)
  43. Food Industry Executive Staff Union
  44. Union of Beverages Industry Workers
  45. PLUS Executive Union
  46. Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI)
  47. IndustriALL Global Union Federation
  48. Decent Work Working Group (DWWG)
  49. Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation (MSN)
  50. Muglan-Migrants Advisor
  51. Non Resident Tharu Society
  52. North South Initiative (NSI)
  53. Pakistani Christian Refugee Fellowship (PCRF)
  54. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
  55. Serantau
  56. Tenaganita
  57. Foreign Spouses Support Group Malaysia (FSSG)
  58. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)