Protect Job Seekers from Discrimination

Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) notes that the Ministry of Human Resources has stated that the government is still discussing the proposed anti-discrimination provision for job seekers under the Employment Act.  We are glad that the provision is still under consideration, and we are optimistic that the Human Resources Minister and the Cabinet will ensure job seekers are not left out of the Employment Act.

Protecting job seekers is crucial because discrimination often happens during recruitment. About 40 per cent of women surveyed said that they had been asked by interviewers if they were pregnant or had plans to become pregnant, according to a WAO survey. There have also been cases where hotels have banned frontline staff from wearing the tudung. 

Currently, there is no protection against discrimination in the private sector, leaving many victims of discrimination without redress. 

We welcome further engagements with the Ministry, as we work to establish better employment laws in Malaysia. 

###

Lindungi Pemohon Kerja

Pertubuhan Pertolongan Wanita (WAO) difahamkan bahawa Kementerian Sumber Manusia telah menyatakan bahawa kerajaan masih membincangkan peruntukan antidiskriminasi bagi pemohon kerja bawah Akta Kerja. Dengan sukacita, kami menenerima berita bahawa peruntukan tersebut masih dalam pertimbangan, dan kami yakin bahawa Menteri Sumber Manusia dan Kabinet akan memastikan pencari kerja tidak tersisih daripada Akta Kerja.

Perlindungan untuk pemohon kerja adalah penting kerana diskriminasi kerap berlaku sewaktu fasa pengambilan pekerja. Kira-kira 40% wanita yang ditinjau melaporkan mereka disoal oleh penemu duga sama ada mereka sedang mengandung atau merancang untuk mengandung, begitu menurut kaji selidik WAO. Malah, terdapat juga kes yang melaporkan hotel mengenakan larangan bertudung terhadap pekerja wanita di bahagian menyambut tetamu. 

Pada masa ini, tiada perlindungan terhadap diskriminasi dalam sektor swasta. Justeru, ramai mangsa diskriminasi tidak dapat memperoleh keadilan. 

Kami mengalu-alukan perbincangan dengan pihak Kementerian dalam usaha menambahbaik undang-undang pekerjaan di Malaysia.