SHAH ALAM - While traditional childcare subsidies have been the go-to solution for many governments, it is time to rethink this approach.
Instead of solely focusing on subsidies, funding should prioritise alternative childcare solutions, support for care entrepreneurs and the professionalisation of care workers.
As the government aimed to boost the female labour force participation rate from 55.6 per cent to 60 per cent, LeadWomen Client and Consulting Services manager Liza Liew suggested that a shift in childcare strategies could be crucial.
"To make this happen, a focus to support women to enter, stay and return to the workforce is needed in the 2025 Budget.
"Funding should be focused on more alternative childcare solutions, supporting care entrepreneurs and professionalising or regulating care workers will bring more of an impact than the typical childcare subsidies," she said when contacted.
She added that to achieve the government's goal of increasing the female labour force participation rate, efforts must focus on helping women enter, remain in and return to the workforce.
Liew also stressed that a more comprehensive approach is essential for effectively addressing the childcare challenges faced by families.
Supporting care providers and professionalising the industry could enhance service quality for families and help build a more resilient child care ecosystem.
She emphasised that investing in the professionalisation and regulation of care workers will improve both the quality and accessibility of childcare services, ultimately benefiting working mothers and fathers alike.
She said it was important to support both parents, adding that extended paternity leave could facilitate the sharing of caregiving duties and help keep mothers engaged in the workforce.
Apart from subsidies, she said an extended paternity leave can greatly support working mothers as well.
She said such measures could help distribute caregiving responsibilities more equitably and prevent women from feeling compelled to step away from their careers.
In addition to these measures, Liew advocated for initiatives that motivate companies to embrace family-friendly policies.
She pointed out that while financial incentives can effectively encourage the implementation of such policies, recognising exemplary efforts was equally vital.
She said continuous advocacy and raising awareness to cultivate a supportive environment were also important.
"There is a need for strong anti-discrimination policies in the workplace, particularly to safeguard pregnant women during the hiring process.
"I would also suggest introducing flexibility in the maternity and paternity leave itself - meaning the allocated days can be stretched out across a 12-18 month period," she said.
She added that a thorough review of the intersectional identities of working women in Malaysia was necessary to improve existing policies.
While the discussion has primarily focused on mothers, she said many women were also burdened with elderly care and other barriers that hindered their ability to participate fully in the workforce.
The 2025 Budget, the third under the unity government, will be tabled in Parliament on Friday (Oct 18).
The budget, themed "Ekonomi Madani, Negara Makmur, Rakyat Sejahtera" is the final budget under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025), paving the way for the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) over the next five years.