Kuala Lumpur TimeDigi’s Newly Implemented Six Months Maternity Leave
Recently, Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd which is one
of Malaysian telecommunications companies was applauded for their new
adaptation of six month paid maternity leave.
The company’s employees comprise of 45% women at
senior management and board levels where the board covers 43% female
representation which exceeds government’s target of 30% participation in board
of companies listed publicly. With this move, it is expected that more female
leadership talent will be revealed besides increasing competitiveness of the
company. So far, only this company is known to offer the longest paid maternity
leave as compared to other companies in Malaysia. IKEA Malaysia provides up to
4 months maternity leave.
Malaysian Law itself states that maternity leave is
provided not less than 60 consecutive days. When comparing to other ASEAN
countries, recently, Philippines extended maternity leave from 60 to 78 days
increased up to 100 days, Vietnam provides 120 to 180 days depending on work
nature while Singapore provides 112 days. Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR
and Indonesia provides maternity leave up to 90 days.
According to International Labour Organization (ILO)
Convention 183 (revised in year 2000), all women employees are entitled to
maternity leave of not less than 14 weeks if they can provide medical
certificate. However, the mandatory paid maternity leave is up to 6 weeks.
ASEAN Services Employees Trade Union Council (ASETUC)’s
General Secretary, Mr.Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal mentioned that “Other companies
in Malaysia and other ASEAN Member States should follow the path of Digi in
implementing 6 months maternity leave so that more female workers will be keen
to stay and strive for excellence in workforce. Maternity leave provides female
workers more flexibilities so that they can manage both their families and also
working life without feeling the need to quit their jobs.”
