Malaysia has introduced wide-ranging amendments to its decades-old employment legislation in a bid to improve the protection and welfare of workers. While many of the changes have been welcomed, experts say a lack of clarity in the Bill’s provisions has led to confusion over who the new law will apply to and affect.

Under the Employment (Amendment Bill) 2021, passed by the Dewan Rakyat, the lower house of Malaysia’s parliament, on 21 March 2022, married male employees will now be entitled to seven days’ statutory paid paternity leave.