KUALA LUMPUR: The Johor government has been urged to reconsider the proposal to extend the lunch break to two hours for the private sector on Fridays.
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the issue was raised during recent discussions with the state administration.
He said the aim was to find a win-win solution, while emphasizing that the current practice set by the government remains the best model to follow.
"This issue is already outlined in the Employment Act (Employment Act 1955, Act 265), and it would only require a minor amendment to the Act. This is a matter of balancing workers' rights with what we can do, which partly depends on government policies at the state level."
"We have discussed this matter with the Johor government to fine-tune the details. In my opinion, the current approach by the government is the best."
"The private sector should follow the developments implemented by the government. We have allowed certain flexibilities, such as overtime (additional work hours) for the private sector," he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Abdul Rahman was responding to a supplementary question from Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH-Tebrau) about whether the current decision by the Johor government is in line with relevant employment laws and what penalties might apply if private companies refuse to comply.
The ministry would also review all Labour Acts, including Section 60E of Act 265, concerning annual leave entitlements, as part of labour law reforms, he said.
Abdul Rahman said under Section 60E of Act 265, employees are entitled to eight days of paid annual leave if they have worked for less than two years.
"Employees are entitled to 12 days of annual leave if they have worked for two years or more but less than five years, and 16 days for those who have served for more than five years," he added.