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THE MADANI government has agreed in principle to introduce a Post-Maternity Leave Allowance under the Employment Insurance System, in a landmark policy move aimed at strengthening financial protection for working mothers and widening the country’s social safety net.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Post-Maternity Leave Allowance (EPCB) will be set at 80 per cent of a female insured worker’s assumed monthly wage and paid as a one-off benefit.
“This allowance is financial assistance for additional leave of up to 30 days (one month) taken after the completion of the 98-day maternity leave period,” he said during his National Labour Day 2026 address.
He added that the initiative will require amendments to the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 and is expected to benefit more than 132,000 female workers nationwide.
The announcement was made at the National Labour Day 2026 celebration at Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil, which gathered more than 15,000 workers from both the public and private sectors under the theme “MADANI Workers, the Nation’s Pride” (Pekerja MADANI, KESUMA Bangsa).
Anwar said the measure reflects the government’s recognition of women’s contribution to the workforce.
“I understand the challenges of raising children… I have six children myself,” he said.
In a separate policy development, the Prime Minister also announced plans to amend the Self-Employment Social Security Act to extend protection to Malaysians working abroad, starting with cross-border commuters between Malaysia and Singapore.
“On average, one Malaysian life is lost every week, or 54 deaths a year, among these cross-border workers,” he said.
He added that the initiative would initially cover daily commuters between Malaysia and Singapore before being expanded to other Malaysians working overseas. The reform is expected to benefit more than 480,000 workers.
“The government will strengthen the existing legal framework, including amending the Self-Employment Social Security Act, to enable protection to be extended to Malaysians working overseas, starting with Malaysia-Singapore cross-border workers,” he said.
The annual Labour Day celebration, observed on May 1, serves as a national platform to recognise the contribution of workers while strengthening Malaysia’s employment ecosystem through skills development, welfare expansion and job creation.
As part of the event, Anwar presented present the 2026 Labour Day Awards across 14 categories, including Worker Icon, Employer Excellence, Trade Union, Media and Best Contingent. Each recipient will receive RM10,000 and a commemorative plaque.
Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan was also present at the ceremony.
Running alongside the main event is the Labour Day Carnival 2026, held over two days and expected to attract 30,000 visitors. The carnival focuses on career development across all stages of employment, from job entry and skills upgrading to long-term workforce well-being.
A major highlight is the PERKESO Career Fair under the MYFutureJobs platform, offering 4,000 job vacancies with salaries ranging from RM2,500 to RM16,000.
The programme also includes on-the-spot interviews with employers, career counselling services, and participation from more than 50 exhibitors representing government ministries, agencies and public service bodies.
Additional activities include Rahmah Sales, Agro MADANI Sales, health screenings, blood donation drives, National Registration Department services, and industrial technology exhibitions.
Visitors are also provided with advisory services on labour rights, occupational safety and health, as well as access to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) opportunities. - May 1, 2026
