KOTA KINABALU: Trade unions express disappointment with the postponement of the tabling of the Sabah Labour Ordinance amendment and hope it can be done during the current Parliament session. Sabah MTUC secretary Engrit Liaw says, “The decision to postpone the tabling of the amendments to March next year is a great disappointment to workers in Sabah who were confident that it would be passed in Parliament and gazetted by the end of the year.” He emphasizes the importance of the proposed amendments for workers in the state, as it would provide similar benefits already in place for workers in the peninsula through the amendment of the Labor Act 1955. Liaw questions why the amendment of the Sabah Labor Ordinance cannot be expedited since it is far behind the current Labor Act 1955 and highlights the need to harmonize employment laws across the country.
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud states that the draft Bill for the amendment has been completed and is currently under review by the Attorney General’s Chambers before being presented to the Cabinet. Mustapha explains that the Amendment Bill was supposed to be tabled in November but was delayed to ensure a thorough examination of all labor-related matters. He further adds that more time is needed for a comprehensive review, as it involves significant changes to the 1958 ordinance, which has only been amended once in 2005. The amendment is expected to benefit 2.038 million workers and over 187,000 employers in Sabah.
The proposed amendments include various provisions such as addressing sexual harassment, prohibiting discrimination, combating forced labor, improving provisions for children and young persons, and enhancing maternity and paternity leave rights. Additionally, the amendments would standardize provisions under the Sabah Labour Ordinance with the Children and Young Persons (Employment) Act 1966 and Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations, and Amenities Act 1990.
Meanwhile, Liaw emphasizes the urgent need to fast-track the amendments, as even the establishment of the Sabah Labour Advisory Council has yet to occur.
