Target: 55 percent women workers

The government aims to increase the number of women in the workforce to 55 percent by 2015 from 47.3 percent this year.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Shahrizat  Jalil, said the proposal to provide facilities such as nurseries, kindergartens and day-care centres at workplaces would be sent to the Cabinet for approval.

Asked to comment on the shortage of housemaids, she said it was time for locals to be trained as housemaids as dependence on foreign maids would cause problems later.

“The time is ripe to create local housemaid agencies,” she told reporters after opening “Ekspo Perdagangan Khas Wanita – Tribute to Women of Malaysia” here today.

The exposition’s producer and director, Mahani Awang, expects to achieve sales of RM100,000 from the three-day event and receive 15,000 visitors.

“Bill Keith custom-made shoes will be sold at half-price while Siti Nurhaliza will make an appearance on Sunday,” Mahani added.

The expo held in conjunction with International Women’s Day next month aims to recognise the role and contribution of women in every aspect of national development.

It is supported by Wanita Umno, Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Malaysian Association of Women Journalists, Bumiputra Designers Association, Youth of Unity and Children Foundation Malaysia.

– Bernama