PETALING JAYA: Employers who are in the B40 group are facing a dilemma due to the implementation of the minimum wage salary and maternity leave of 98 days, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Citing the example of a burger seller Ahmad, the MCA president said the employer has to raise the minimum salary from RM1,200 to RM1,500 under the new law for his worker.
"And if he does not do that, the worker will leave and if he hires a new female worker, who is pregnant, he will have to give maternity leave of 98 days under the new law," said the Ayer Hitam MP in a video post on Sunday (July 16).
"There is a solution as in Singapore, where the cost is absorbed by the government for workers who are on maternity leave, and the employer can apply for such an incentive.”
He said with such a scheme, the B40 employers will be able to absorb the cost incurred during the period.
"Remember Ahmad needs to survive and his intention is not to discriminate against female employees, but he will choose to hire someone who is not a burden to him.”
As such, Dr Wee said all should give a thought to B40 employers who are facing this dilemma.
