SSM and UNICEF call for childcare centres in the workplace
By Indra Kumari Nadchatram KUALA LUMPUR, 1 February 2010 – The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are jointly calling for the corporate and business environment in Malaysia to set up childcare centres to benefit the nation’s most precious resource, its children. The announcement was made at the launch of the SSM-UNICEF Best Business Practice Circular 1/2010 on the “Establishment of a Child Care Centre at the Work Place by Business and Corporate Employers” by Malaysia’s Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob. According to SSM Chief Executive Officer Dato' Azmi bin Ariffin, the setting up of childcare centres at the workplace is consistent with the general principles of corporate responsibility found in various national agenda frameworks including Vision 2020, the Ninth Malaysian Plan and the 2010 National Budget. “In the recent 2010 Budget speech, (Prime Minister) Dato’ Sri Najib Razak had called for all ministries and Government departments to provide day care and education centres,” said Dato’ Azmi. “Through the issuance of BBPC 1/2010, such a call is now extended to the private sector.” Promoting child-friendly business practices The Best Business Practice Circular is the first of many initiatives envisaged by SSM and UNICEF to promote greater awareness of child rights issues amongst the country’s corporate and business sector. The partnership between SSM and UNICEF was formalised recently with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, witnessed by Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri and some 100 guests from government agencies, corporate and business leaders and the media. UNICEF Representative to Malaysia Youssouf Oomar highlighted the importance of protecting children’s safety and wellbeing throughout the supply chain of businesses and in the development of products and services. “Seize the passion and entrepreneurial spirit of your employees in order to find your very own way of supporting marginalised children in your community,” appealed Mr. Youssouf. Forging ahead for children As part of the partnership, SSM and UNICEF will seek to promote philanthropic or community activities, carry out research and development on related issues and disseminate and monitor child-friendly business practices. Amongst the planned activities, SSM and UNICEF will: § Conduct a feasibility study on the voluntary reporting of child-friendly corporate responsibility by all companies and businesses in Malaysia and the relevant reporting mechanism; § Organise seminars to promote and enhance awareness on child rights issues and child-friendly business practices within the corporate sector; § Produce related publications; and, § Carry out research on relevant issues such as innovations for children. “SSM believes that it is vital for the private sector to start inculcating corporate responsibility as part of their culture towards ensuring business viability and sustainability within the 21st century business and corporate environment,” added Dato’ Azmi.
SSM-UNICEF Best Business Practice Circular 1/2010  Establishment of a Child Care Centre at the Work Place by Business and Corporate Employers Newsline: SSM + UNICEF Companies Commission of Malaysia  |
