EPCB aims to raise women’s workforce involvement, aligning Malaysia with ILO standards through shared liability.
KUALA LUMPUR: The introduction of the Post-Maternity Leave Allowance (EPCB) is expected to increase women’s participation in the active labour market, thereby aligning Malaysia with the global standards outlined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) in a statement today said that the benefit will use a ‘liability-sharing’ approach by absorbing part of the cost of living burden for employees during the additional leave without directly impacting the employer’s operations.
According to PERKESO, the approach has been implemented in developed countries such as Spain, Portugal, France and China, which utilise social security funds to ensure the continuity of industry without neglecting the welfare of women after childbirth.
“The implementation of this is not only critical in preserving the health of pregnant women but also serves as a buffer against the tendency of women to leave their careers after childbirth due to the rising cost of living for families.
“As the main driver, PERKESO is determined to make the EPCB a cornerstone for a more inclusive, fair, and progressive Malaysian labour market,” it said.
The latest benefit will be implemented through amendments to the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800).
Meanwhile, PERKESO said that the implementation of the PERKESO Traveller Scheme through the Self-Employment Social Security Protection Act 2017 (Act 789) plays a role in filling the gaps in social protection involving cross-border workers.
“This measure is expected to protect around 1.6 million individuals, including nearly 480,000 workers who commute daily through the Johor Causeway, to ensure they receive appropriate protection from previously unmanageable risks.
“This is not just an extension of the scheme, but rather a manifestation of support for the sacrifices of hundreds of thousands of workers who face high risks for their survival,” the statement said.
The agency emphasised that all operational mechanisms and support systems have been streamlined to ensure the smooth implementation of both initiatives in line with the aspirations of the MADANI Government.
“PERKESO is now at the highest lvel of readiness to implement the mandate to ensure that every improvement has a tangible impact on the well-being of the people,” the statement added.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while delivering the national-level Labour Day 2026 message, said that the government will introduce the EPCB as a progressive step to support women’s participation in the workforce, following a slight decline in the labour force participation rate among that group, partly due to maternity commitments.
The Sun Malaysia
