Some 20,000 to 30,000 workers whose salaries range from RM1,500 will see an increase once the amendment to the Employment Act is passed by Parliament.

Human Resources Minister Dr Foong Chan Onn said the ministry, Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) as well as Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) have achieved the consensus to increase the salary of workers up to RM2,000.

"The bill of amendment will be tabled in the next parliament sitting once passed, workers whose salary range from RM1,500 will be increased to RM2,000," he told reporters after officiating the National Human Resources Summit 2006.

Meanwhile, the minister urged the private sector to provide reasonable maternity leave to women according to international standards and guidelines.

The ministry will discuss with employers in regards to this, he added.

"I think it is important for us to follow world practices especially in looking after our female workers, which also includes the policy of maternity leave as well," he said.

However, he said the government has to accept that the private sector has the right to make decisions regarding their employment policies and it cannot be dictated by the government.

The policies outlined by private companies are not in the control of the government because this were policies between the employee and the company, he added.

Domestic workers

Responding to a question that the definition of 'domestic workers' gazetted in the Employment Act was weak concerning Indonesian maids, the minister replied that the Act aimed to protect office workers and was not meant to protect Indonesian maids.

"Formal work environment cannot subject them (Indonesian maids) to the definition of domestic workers because their working environment was different from the office environment," he said.

The minister noted that the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Malaysia and Indonesia should provide necessary protection.

"For instance, it is crucial to ensure that the employers have properly opened bank accounts for their maids and the salaries of the maids were properly credited into their accounts," he added.