NUTP: 90-day maternity leave denied to teachers

The Star
23/5/2011

GEORGE TOWN: The National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) is upset that some of its members have been denied the 90-day paid maternity leave due to a lack of funds for replacement teachers.

Its secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng said she had received many complaints from teachers nationwide that they had been granted only 60 days’ paid leave.

“They were given 60 days and made to apply for the additional 30 days, and often, the application would be rejected by the school or (state education) department head.

“I checked with the school heads and was told that the problem was due to a lack of allocation to pay for replacement teachers.

“This is akin to denying the teachers their right,” she said, urging the Education Ministry to provide funds for replacement teachers.

Lok also claimed that other civil servants faced similar problems when applying for extended maternity leave.

“I was told that even nurses found it difficult to get their leave approved as there were various requirements imposed by department heads.

“For example, a new mother would have to be sick to get the extra days,” she told reporters after attending the state NUTP annual general meeting here yesterday.

On Oct 15 last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced in the Budget 2011 speech that female civil servants would be allowed maternity leave of 90 days, up from the current 60 days, subject to consensus between the management and the employee.

On the integrated competency development programme (Prospek), which will come into effect from July 1, Lok said those who performed well should be rewarded.

“Civil servants who perform well in the new assessment system should be given incentives to further motivate them.

“After all, Prospek takes into account a person’s creativity, innovation, skills, knowledge and conduct. So, if he or she does well, it would indicate a level of excellence which should be given due recognition,” she said.

She said NUTP members were also worried about the rising cost of living and that they were hoping for a salary increment in view of the escalating costs.