PUTRAJAYA, 22 Oct 2020:
Employers are prohibited from forcing or ordering their workers to take annual or unpaid leave following the work-from-home (WFH) directive which came into effect today, during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) period.
Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan in a statement today also stressed salary payments are to be made as usual despite the WFH directive.
He said this is in line with the directive and statement issued by the ministry during the enforcement of the Movement Control Order in March.
“However, employers can discuss with their workers on any action or decision taken in the interest of both parties.”
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Tuesday said public and private sector employees at the management and supervisory levels in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Sabah and Labuan were directed to WFH effective Oct 22 to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya have been placed under the CMCO from Oct 14 to 27, Sabah from Oct 13 to 26 and Labuan from Oct 17 to 30.
Employers can contact the Manpower Department, Peninsular Malaysia at 03-8886 2352 / 03-8886 2409 / 03-8888 9111 for enquiries.
Industries are mandated to implement the WFH practice for the staff in management and supervisory groups, and only 10% of these groups can be allowed to work in the office.
In a statement of frequently asked questions related to the CMCO issued today, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) said the employees in management and supervisory groups include those whose tasks involve accounting, finance, administration, legislation, planning, and information and communications technology.
Employees are limited to being at the office for four hours only, from 10am to 2pm, for three days a week.
“Companies can run a rotation system to appoint representatives of management and supervisory groups who need to be at the office. The companies are also advised to provide a list of employees involved in (the) WFH and also in their operations for reference by the authorities, if needed.”
The ministry said employers should issue a travel release letter to each employee who is allowed to work during the CMCO period.
Employees of other sectors categorised as informal sectors – such as retail, food, plantation, agriculture, hawker, food stalls, restaurants, food courts, grocery stores and convenience stores – are allowed to work as usual in accordance with the CMCO’s standard operating procedures which have been set.
Employees of transportation services such as the public transport, express buses, Light Rail Transit services, taxis, e-hailing, and food delivery services can also work as usual, the ministry said.
– Bernama