Programme Overview
The Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances have undergone significant amendments in 2025. These changes affect core areas, includingthe definition of employees, working hours, maternity and paternity entitlements, sick leave and hospitalisation leave, public holidays, separation of employee protections, and compliance obligations for employers in Sabah & Sarawak and others. The amendment also introduces new definitions, flexible work arrangements (FWA) and provisions for the prevention of forced labour. This webinar will provide HR professionals, business owners, and line managers with a practical breakdown of the key amendments, compliance requirements, comparison to the Employment Act 1955 and real-world implications for workforce management.
By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand the key amendments in the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinance (2025).
- Compare key differences and similarities between the Employment Act 1955 and the Labour Ordinances.
- Identify compliance risks and necessary updates to employment contracts, policies, and HR practices.
- Apply the Ordinance amendments in handling employee entitlements, terminations, and dispute management.
- Strengthen organisational compliance and reduce exposure to labour disputes in Sabah and Sarawak.
Course Outline
- Why the 2025 amendments were introduced
- Comparison of SLO Sabah, SLO Sarawak and the Employment Act 1955
- Expanded Interpretation section (definitions, roles of the Director of Labour)
- Complaints & Inquiries
- Sexual Harassment
- Presumption of employment relationship
- Discrimination & Forced labour
- Child & young persons’ employment
- Employment of women & maternity protections
- Repatriation of employees
- Hours of work
- Sick Leave & Hospitalisation Leave separation
- Public Holidays
- Paternity Leave
- Calculation of wages for an incomplete month
- Timeline for payments of wages
- Payment methods (through financial institutions)
- Flexible Working Arrangements (FWA)
- Employee Welfare & Housing
- Offences & Penalties
- Hazardous work list
- And others
Who Should Enroll?
- HR Managers and Executives (based in Sabah, Sarawak, or with employees there)
- Business Owners and SME Leaders
- Compliance & Industrial Relations Officers
- Legal and Admin Personnel handling HR documentation
- Payroll & C&B Practitioners who need to align benefits with the new Ordinance provisions