While most Malaysian women celebrate the landmark legislative amendment to increase maternity leave from 60 days to 98 days, there is an entire sector of marginalised workers who will continue to be denied even one day of maternity leave.

The Human Resources Ministry had recently confirmed to Malaysiakini that clauses in the First Schedule of the Employment Act which explicitly excluded domestic workers from rights enjoyed by others covered in the Act, are to remain.

The Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia director-general Asri Ab Rahman...