Encourage firms to provide childcare, says MTUC – Bernama
The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has urged the government to continue encouraging private companies to set up childcare centres or nursery at their workplace.
Its secretary-general, N. Gopal Kishnam, said the government should maintain the incentives that were pledged in Budget 2013, including a RM10,000 grant and 10% tax deduction.
"Admittedly, the response has not been consistent but in the long run, it will enable female employees to continue working rather than resign after getting married and having children," he said today.
Budget 2015 will be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Friday.
Gopal said female employees could also save as they would not have to send their children to expensive childcare centres elsewhere or employ a maid.
Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) president Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadason suggested the introduction of a food scheme for urban low-income earners or the needy.
"For example, the government could provide RM5 daily lunch vouchers for the target group to have their meal at selected food outlets. This will ease their financial burden, even if only minimally," he said.
He said the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) should be continued but channelled to genuine recipients.
The government should also improve and expand public transport. – Bernama, October 5, 2014.
