Sabah Labour Law Amendments Take Effect on May 1, 2025

The Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025 will officially come into force on 1 May 2025, following its gazettement by the Federal Government on 23 April.

This marks the first significant update to the Ordinance since 2005. The amendment bill was passed in the Dewan Rakyat on 14 October 2024, received Royal Assent on 7 March 2025, and was published in the Gazette on 20 March 2025.

Key highlights of the amendments include:

• Reduction of weekly working hours from 48 to 45 hours

• Enhanced provisions on flexible work arrangements, protection against forced labour, and mechanisms for lodging harassment complaints

• Extended maternity leave from 60 to 98 days

• Introduction of paternity leave with seven days of entitlement

These changes reflect the government’s ongoing commitment to modernising labour standards and improving worker welfare in Sabah.

Source: Daily Express