KUCHING: A book entitled ‘A Guide to Employment in Sarawak’ was launched at Wisma Wanita yesterday.
Fatimah (right) and Tan at the launch of the book ‘A Guide to Employment in Sarawak’ at Wisma Wanita yesterday.
The author Tan Gake Hua who has 40 years of experience in the employment scene has used layman terms to make it easier to understand.
“The book which is meticulously documented details the provisions and amendments of the Sarawak Labour Ordinance which was enforced since 1952,” Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said during the launch yesterday.
She said as of 2004, many amendments to the Sarawak Labour Ordinance had benefitted employees in Sarawak.
The amendments in 2004 synchronised with provisions under the Labour Ordinance in Sabah and the Employment Act in Peninsular Malaysia.
It is the primary labour law that provides the minimum terms and conditions of employment applicable to employees in the private sector in Sarawak.
Fatimah who is also Dalat assemblywoman said the book would be beneficial to current and future generations who would become the state’s workforce and contribute towards development.
Tan took a year to write and publish the hard cover book.
She said it would make it easier for employees to know their rights in terms of wages, payment for extra work done as well as other benefits such as annual leave, sick leave, paid public holidays, termination and lay-off benefits.
“Employees who find they are not receiving these minimum benefits should bring the matter up to their employers for rectification,” said Tan who is also the first female director in the State Labour Department.
She hoped employers would continue to ensure their employees receive the rewards due under the ordinance.