Ministry committed towards increase in women workforce

KUALA LUMPUR: The women, family and community development ministry is committed to increasing women participation in the workforce to 55% by year-end.

Deputy minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun said the ministry was confident of achieving the target based on a variety of initiatives implemented for working women.

"We must accomplish the goal as so far, we have reached 53%, and in addition to that, various efforts have been undertaken, including the introduction of flexible working hours for women, working from home and returning home early.

"Besides that, the ministry also encourages the government and private sectors to create child-care centres (nurseries) in workplaces to provide quality care to children but act as an important support system for working parents," she told reporters after opening the "So Much More" campaign by Johnson & Johnson here today.

She said this when asked to comment on the 2014 Government Transformation Programme and Economic Transformation Programme reports unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Angkasapuri yesterday.
During the presentation of the reports, Najib announced that the government would strive to increase the participation of women in the workforce to 55% by year-end, and up to 30% in decision-making positions by 2016.

Meanwhile, KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital chief executive officer Dr Munirah Khudri said the hospital had initiated the establishment of nurseries in the workplace about 10 years ago to facilitate its employees to be fully committed to their work without sacrificing family interests.

"A facility like that will help them focus well at work and will improve employee loyalty towards the institution."

The 'So Much More' campaign was held in collaboration with the hospital to educate prospective parents on how to manage their babies and enhance their mental development. – Bernama