FEMALE workers can look forward to flexible working schedules and a shorter work week following amendments to the Employment Act, says Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Awang Hashim.

       “At present there are no policies or specific labour laws on fixed flexible working schedules for women workers.

       “The government is concerned with the need for flexible working schedules for women employees that can improve workplace harmony and well-being.

       “In this respect, the ministry has included several new provisions related to flexible work hours and suggestions to reduce the weekly work week under amendments to the Employment Act 1955,” he told June Leow Hsaid Hui (PH-Hulu Selangor) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

       Awang said the proposed amendments would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next month.

       He noted that although flexible working schedules, including work from home (WFH), were implemented by both the public and private sectors since the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak last year, there were no laws to govern the matter.

       Leow had asked if there would be more efforts by the Federal Government to encourage flexible work schedules for women employed in both the public and private sectors.Awang also told Leow that there were no current plans to make it mandatory for employers in the private sector to provide daycare facilities at the workplace for working mothers.

       “Employers are however encouraged to create daycare centres for their staff,” he added.