Employers who failed to act on sexual harassment complaints, including investigate and submit the report to the Manpower director-general, are liable to a maximum fine of RM10,000.

This is a new provision in the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2010 tabled by Deputy Human Resource Minister Maznah Mazlan for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.

It also defines that such complaints can be made by an employee against another employee, an employee against any employer, an employer against another employer or an employer against an employee.

If the sexual harassment act is proven, disciplinary action including dismissal without notice, demotion of the employee, or any other necessary lesser punishment can be imposed.

It also states that a maximum two-week suspension without pay can be imposed.

Salary to be banked in

The bill also states that if the sexual harassment complaint is made directly to the Manpower director-general, he should study the complaint and then instruct the employer involved to investigate and submit a report within 30 days.

The proposed amendment also incorporates a new section which requires employers to bank in the salary of domestic maids in their own bank accounts, unless with written permission from the Manpower director-general.

Maznah also tabled the Children and Young Persons (Employment)(Amendment) Bill 2010 for first reading, to increase the minimum age of children eligible to work from 15 to 18.

- Bernama