With the current number of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia at 553 and showing no signs of stopping anytime soon, many have been wondering how their jobs and rights as workers will be affected by this dreaded pandemic.
Thankfully, the Ministry of Health decided to clear the air when they released an official statement of worker’s rights and what they can claim from their companies in the possible event that they test positive for Covid-19.
Both employees and employers are subjected to abide by the 1955 Employment Act. So here are some key facts that each group should take note of:
Employees:
Section 60E (1B)
- If employees are subjected to quarantine, employers are not allowed to force them to take annual leave (AL) as this leave is an employee’s right.
- Employers cannot prohibit employees from coming into work without a Quarantine Order or Work From Home Order issued by a registered medical practitioner.
- However, employers can order their staff who are sick or unwell to not attend work as long as they allow them paid leave.
Employers:
Employers can choose to implement any of the following steps to restrict but not terminate employment:
- Limit working overtime (OT)
- Reducing the number of working days in a week
- Reducing daily working hours
- Perform a lay-off (in the event of a temporary shutdown, they can offer employees their salaries while helping them find jobs elsewhere till the shutdown is no longer effective.)
- Reduce payroll across all ranks in company (usually the last resort)
Authorities have since urged all employers to conduct health and security screenings for their employees to help identify if any were in attendance for the Tabligh gatherings in Masjid Jamek or religious gatherings in Penang that are said to be linked to Malaysia’s sudden drastic spike in Covid-19 cases.
Apa yang seorang pekerja perlu tahu sekiranya dijangkiti #COVIDー19?
Ketahui hak anda sebagai seorang pekerja.
Sekiranya pihak majikan gagal mematuhi garis panduan ini, laporkan kepada Jabatan Tenaga Kerja di talian 03-88865192
Sumber @myksm#COVID19malaysia pic.twitter.com/dzPP0AkegO
— KKMPutrajaya (@KKMPutrajaya) March 16, 2020
If you know anyone who is possibly at risk, or if you’d like to clarify any of the information given above, the Ministry of Health has advised the public to contact the District Liason office at 03-88865192 for more information.
Know your rights and stay safe, guys!
Also read: M’sia Ministry of Health Has Listed These 57 Hospitals That Will Be Offering Covid-19 Testing
