Upcoming post-maternity leave allowance to benefit over 130,000 women, says PM

Published on 1 May 2026 3:43:23 PM

A post-maternity leave allowance will be introduced under the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 to support women returning to work after childbirth, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

When delivering his Workers’ Day message in conjunction with the National Workers’ Day 2026 celebration on Friday, Anwar said he new benefit provides financial support for up to 30 days of additional leave after the mandatory 98-day maternity period, paid at 80% of the employee’s assumed monthly wage as a one-off payment.

The allowance is expected to benefit more than 132,000 women workers.

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Keywords
labour day , prime minister , anwar ibrahim , post-maternity leave , allowance , employment insurance system act , labour force participation rate , women employees , national workers day 2026 , economy, news, thestartv, the star, government, workers, employees

Keywords:
labour day , prime minister , anwar ibrahim , post-maternity leave , allowance , employment insurance system act , labour force participation rate , women employees , national workers day 2026 , economy, news, thestartv, the star, government, workers, employees