Private Employees Can Apply for Flexible Work Including “WFH”

Private Employees Can Apply for Flexible Work Including “WFH”

Private sector workers can apply to their employers to practice flexible working, including working from home or work from homein line with the Flexible Working Rules (AKF) initiative.

This was conveyed by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan at the Fifth Period First Meeting of the People’s Council Conference, Tuesday.

“The government has introduced the AKF initiative by amending the Employment Act 1955 which will come into effect on January 1 2023 and amending the Employment Ordinance (Sarawak Chapter 76) and Employment Ordinance (Sabah Chapter 67) which will come into effect on May 1 2025,” he said.

According to him, AKF focuses specifically on employee welfare, work life balance and family life.

This AKF can be requested by workers from their employers, including changes to working hours, working days and changes to their place of work.

It is also subject to conditions such as rest days, working hours, holidays and other terms of service.

However, Ramanan said that flexible working practices depend on the suitability of the sector, type of work, and the agreement between the employer and employee.

He explained that the AKF guidelines had also been prepared to understand employers, workers and trade unions regarding important matters related to the AKF initiative.

“By 2025, a total of 2,460 organizations will be involved and benefit approximately 474,400 workers.” he added again.

Tax incentives in the form of additional deductions of 50 percent are also given to entrepreneurs who invest in AKF-related capacity development and software.