The government has abruptly withdrawn from Parliament the Employment (Amendments) Bill 2010, which has been heavily criticised by human rights groups and trade unions. 

Just before question time in the Dewan Rakyat this morning, Deputy Human Resource Minister Maznah Mazlan told the House that the Bill had been withdrawn.

The government has been touting the amendments as a major boon for workers as they would expand the law to cover part-time workers, sexual harassment, provide wage protection and include more clauses on welfare and annual leave.

dr s subramaniam interview 210308 04 However, opponents are unhappy with the proposed clauses, which they said would be detrimental to fixed-term contract workers and those under probation.

Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam ( left ) told reporters when contacted that the bill was withdrawn for "more things" to be added.

However, he refused to divulge the details of “add ons” to the amendment.

"We want to make some changes, but it will be tabled again in this meeting itself," said Subramaniam.

Asked if the bill was withdrawn following the protests and rejection from workers’ groups, he said “no”.

The amendment to the sexual harassment clause in the 1955 Employment Act, he added, “was still intact”.

Industrial Relations Act 1967 must be amended too

Meanwhile, opposition MPs from DAP and PKR said that they welcomed the Human Resources Ministry's move to retract the proposed amendments to the Employment Act 1955.

NONE "On the last day of the last Parliament sitting (we) met with Subramaniam and (Minister in the Prime Minister's Department) (Mohd) Nazri (Abdul Aziz) to oppose the amendments as it affects the vast majority of the 12 million workforce in Malaysia," said Ipoh Barat DAP parliamentarian M Kulasegaran ( right ).

"One provision in the amendments would take away the responsibility from companies to pay EPF and Socso," he revealed.

The amendment will especially affect the low income earners who make up about five million of the working population.

The revision would also favour businesses as the companies would be able to hire workers for 10 years on contract, yet can let them go without compensation, said Kuala Langat PKR MP Abdullah Sani.

Kulasegaran added that another related Act that needs to be amended is the Industrial Relations Act 1967.

"We also want to continue pushing to abolish the minister's role in deciding whether an (industrial) case can go to court," he said.

"A full review of Industrial Relations Act 1967 is required to make it more labour friendly and a better protector of the legitimate rights of the lower income workers," said Kulasegaran.

Abdullah, who also heads the labour caucus in Parliament, added that these provisions has led 56.3 percent of the industrials cases being delayed.