Innovating Care Delivery in the Construction Sector

04 Sep 2023 | Gamuda Berhad

Malaysia’s construction sector employs 1.38 million, ranking third in employment after manufacturing and agriculture. ¹

While most workers are male (60%), a growing number of females are joining the ranks. ¹

However, the industry grapples with challenges related to inadequate support for caregivers of children and the elderly.

Heart of the Conversation: Creating an Inclusive Care Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

The Asia-Pacific Care Economy Forum, co-organised by UN Women and supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the International Development Research Centre, addressed these challenges.

Held at World Trade Center Kuala Lumpur in June 2023, the Asia-Pacific Care Economy Forum is an extension of the AVPN Global Conference, which aimed to engage and sensitise investors on the importance of care entrepreneurship. The forum brought together entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers to drive action for an innovative care delivery model in a market-driven world that needs the public and private sectors to work together. The presence of Hajah Nancy, Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development, further emphasised the importance of the forum’s topics.

Gamuda, a leading player in the construction industry, was the only private sector representative at the UN Women Plenary Panel discussing “Creating an Inclusive Care Entrepreneurship Ecosystem for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Resilient Economies”. Representing Gamuda was Ong Jee Lian, Group Chief Communications and ESG Officer of Gamuda Berhad, and the first runner-up for the 2022 UN Women Asia-Pacific WEPs award in the Leadership Commitment category.

The esteemed panellists (L-R):

Professor Emerita Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Sharifah Hapsah, President, National Council of Women’s Organizations (NCWO) Malaysia

Katja Frewald, Regional Lead, Women’s Economic Empowerment and Migration, UN Women [moderator]

Amar Gokhale, Partner, Intellecap

Ong Jee Lian, Group Chief Communications and ESG Officer, Gamuda

Abdullah Hidayat Mohamad, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Ficus Capital

Inclusive Care Ecosystem is a Collaborative Approach

The forum highlighted the critical need for policies that support care entrepreneurship and promote gender equality in the care economy. There is a need for gender-sensitive preparedness and policy responses to tackle the disproportionate increase in the responsibility of caregiving by women. The Malaysian government has policies in place to support caregivers²:

Tax Breaks
Caregivers can claim tax deductions for expenses related to caregiving, such as transportation, medical care, and childcare.

Maternity Leave
Mothers are entitled to 60 days of paid maternity leave, and fathers are entitled to 10 days of paid paternity leave.

The National Caregiver Support Programme
Provides financial assistance, training, and support to caregivers of children and elderly.

The Childcare Subsidy Scheme
Provides financial assistance to families with young children who are using registered childcare centres.

The Eldercare Fund
Provides financial assistance to caregivers of elderly who are unable to care for themselves.

Respite Care
The government provides respite care, which allows caregivers to take a break from their caregiving duties.

In line with this, Ms. Ong highlighted Gamuda’s commitment to driving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and taking substantial steps in helping caregivers balance their work and caregiving responsibilities, all of which help foster an inclusive workplace.

Employee Benefits: Gamuda provides comprehensive benefits, including paternity and extended maternity leave, family care leave and flexible working hours to ensure the well-being of the employees’ families.
Daycare Centre: A fully equipped daycare centre at Menara Gamuda ensures that male and female employees can focus on their careers, knowing their children are well cared for.
Gamuda Women Empowerment Network (GWEN): This support network fosters women’s career advancement in a traditionally male-dominated industry. This avenue has led to women’s representation on Gamuda’s board of directors standing at 57%, far higher than the national average of 26% in the country’s top 100 public-listed companies.
Gamuda Scholarships: Since its inception, the Gamuda Scholarship has awarded nearly 50% of its scholarships to female students. In 2023, Gamuda disbursed 79 scholarships focusing on STEM subjects of which 38 scholarships were awarded to females.
Recognised by United Nations: Our Gamuda’s commitment to professional development and growth was recognised by the prestigious UN Women 2022 Malaysia WEPs (Women’s Empowerment Principles) award under the Gender-Inclusive Workplace category.

The Way Forward

Gamuda leads by example, illustrating how the public and private sectors can collaborate further. Looking ahead, we can consider as what other countries have in place³:

Carer’s Rebate: Introducing a rebate on electricity bills for caregivers, where the amount varies based on the care recipient’s needs and the electricity consumed. This initiative can ease the financial burden on caregivers, allowing them to focus more on providing care.
Carer’s Recognition Card: Implementing a recognition card that offers caregivers exclusive discounts on various services and products. Caregivers who receive childcare or eldercare subsidies should be eligible for this card.
Carer’s Education and Training Leave: Providing paid leave for employees to attend training and educational programs related to caregiving. This initiative empowers caregivers with knowledge and skills, enhancing their ability to provide quality care while balancing work responsibilities.

Sources:
1. Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM)
2. Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development
3. Department of Social Services, Australia