SHAH ALAM, Nov 2 — Selangor is stepping up efforts to expand family-friendly workplace policies to help female employees balance their work commitments with household responsibilities.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said measures under consideration include flexible working hours, caregiving leave and paternity leave to help employees manage family needs.
She said the policy, being developed by Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS) in collaboration with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), was initially discussed during engagement sessions with government-linked companies (GLCs).
"We started with GLCs before expanding it into an official policy. We are taking a more sensitive approach to family needs, moving away from overly rigid management practices," she said.
Anfaal said the implementation of work-from-home arrangements at Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated), or MBI, last year had a positive impact on the productivity and well-being of female employees.
As such, she said the state government would incorporate the approach into WBS's study to help working mothers strike a balance between career demands and family obligations.
She added that the state administration was also providing training for home-based childcare providers through the Iltizam Penjagaan dan Pendidikan Awal Kanak-kanak (IMPAK) Selangor initiative to improve the quality of childcare.
"As of 2024, the state government had awarded grants of RM2,000 each to 200 childcare providers who completed the IMPAK training course," she said.
On housing, Anfaal said the Rumah Selangorku scheme helped young couples and families secure affordable homes, thereby easing one of the biggest financial burdens faced by households.
She added that the MamaKerja incentive offered RM1,000 in assistance to 10,000 working mothers this year to help ease childcare costs while supporting them in remaining in the workforce.
"This incentive has been well received. We are focusing on working mothers because some women are forced to choose between continuing to work and quitting their jobs due to the high cost of childcare.
"Ultimately, we want women to remain in the workforce, as they also contribute to the national economy," she said.
