No forcing workers to take leave during WFH period, govt warns

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.

Human Resources Minister M Saravanan also said salary payments must be made as usual despite the directive.

“However, employers can discuss with their workers about any action or decision taken in the interest of both parties,” he added in a statement.

On Tuesday, Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said public and private sector employees at management and supervisory levels in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Sabah and Labuan would be directed to work from home effective Oct 22 to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya have been placed under conditional movement control order 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.