ASEAN SUMMIT: KESUMA URGES PRIVATE SECTOR TO ADOPT FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) has called on private sector employers to consider implementing Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) in conjunction with the upcoming ASEAN Summit, scheduled in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 26 to 28.

Introduced under amendments to the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) effective Jan 1, 2023, FWA allows employees to request flexible working hours, days or locations, without affecting company operations or productivity.

In a statement today, KESUMA said Sections 60P and 60Q of the Act enable employees to apply for FWA in response to specific circumstances, such as the anticipated traffic congestion during the summit.

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To encourage wider adoption, KESUMA, through Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp), is offering an additional 50 per cent tax deduction on capacity-building and software acquisition costs related to FWA, capped at RM500,000 for claims made between Jan 1, 2025 and Dec 31, 2027.

A comprehensive FWA implementation guideline, developed with the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) and TalentCorp, is available on the official websites of KESUMA, JTKSM and TalentCorp or at https://www.mohr.gov.my/images/pdf/Garis%20Panduan%20AKF%202024.pdf.

KESUMA also welcomed the move by the Public Service Department (JPA) to allow flexible Work From Home (WFH) policies for civil servants, which promotes employee well-being without compromising productivity.

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The 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings are expected to be among the largest gatherings in the bloc’s history.

-- BERNAMA