CHAPTER 4 - REPORT OF THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS WORKING GROUP Issues Raised by the Participants (i) Women’s rights • Protection of women’s right to work It was suggested that Malaysia should monitor the implementation of the International Labour Conventions to which it has acceded. There is also a need to address unimplemented provisions of these Conventions. Legislation and policies could be enacted to protect the rights of women workers. The Government should revise the Occupational Classification Categories to appropriately reflect the changing spectrum of skills of workers in general and women in particular. • Protection of women’s economic, social and cultural rights There is the need to ensure that fair and equal wages are established for all in both the public and private sector. A minimum wage of at least RM1,500 should be implemented in view of the current cost of living. This could be done through the review or enactment of appropriate laws and policies. There is the need to ensure that fair and equal wages are established for all in both the public and private sector. A minimum wage of at least RM1,500 should be implemented in view of the current cost of living. This could be done through the review or enactment of appropriate laws and policies. With respect to women’s empowerment, it was suggested that in-depth research be undertaken by the Government toward developing gender-sensitive institutional capacity, policy tools and decision-making processes. A long-term national employment strategy for women should be developed and implemented to facilitate women’s participation and upward mobility, as well as training and access to skills and technology. • Social security among women workers The establishment of special employment schemes that address redundancies and re-entry into the labour market is needed especially in times of a volatile economy. Furthermore, transparent and accountable reporting of social safety nets should be ensured for workers, especially women, in times of recession, retrenchment and other periods of adversity in employment. Maternity leave of 90 days and paternity leave of four weeks could be implemented and guaranteed, while cash payment should be allocated for home-based care. Additionally, available childcare services should be extended to all. 74