Gov't considering child care subsidies for private sector workers

KUALA LUMPUR - The government is considering the proposal of subsidising private women workers for child care purposes, thus ensuring more women can work after giving birth.

The Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu raised this during the winding-up session of Supply Bill 2023 at the committee level in the Dewan Rakyat today.

"It is a proposal that the government will consider," she said.

Aiman was responding to Yeo Bee Yin (PH-Puchong) who had asked if the government has plans to provide subsidies to private women workers for child care purposes, as received by civil servants.

In the Budget 2023, the government allocated a nursery fee subsidy of RM180 per month to civil servants who have to send their children to daycare centers.

The government has also increased the eligibility limit from RM5,000 to RM7,000 per household.

In the meantime, she also told the Dewan Rakyat that no allocation was received in establishing a Children's Development Department in the Budget 2023.

However, the ministry, through the Social Welfare Department (JKM), will implement efforts to establish the department.

"We have not received any allocation related to the establishment of a child development department," she said.

Apart from that, JKM has also initiated collaboration with relevant agencies to detail and refine the establishment documents.

She said the effort is in the initial phase to ensure JPKK can stand on its own as one of the significant agencies under the ministry.

"JKM has made preparations for enforcing the children's section under the department by preparing a proposal framework involving legal officers, ministry officials, JKM, and related agencies for the establishment purpose," she said.