The Selangor state government is now offering 90 days maternity leave to female civil servants instead of the usual 60 days as part of the state’s welfare initiatives. The decision was announced by the Mentri Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim 2 days ago.

Additionally, husbands can now enjoy 14 days of paternity leave, replacing the 7 days, effective immediately.

For wives whose husbands pass away, the old 3-day emergency leaves will be replaced with a 30-day compassionate leave.

In response to the announcement, the Public Services Department director-general, Tan Sri Ismail Adam has asked the government to look into the decision as it may affect the pension payment of the affected workers. He went further to say that should the Selangor government proceed with the new ruling, the extra 30 days need to be offered as unpaid leave.

According to Ismail, the federal government cannot offer more than 60 days of maternity leave to female employees as it is against the circular already issued by the federal government before.

Cuepacs, the labour union for the civil servants, however, hailed the decision, and is asking the federal government to follow suit in giving extra days of maternity leave. Cuepacs President, Omar Osman, that the new implementation is in parallel with the requirement set by the International Labour Organization, ILO.