EFFECTIVE November 1, some 5,000 eligible working mothers in Selangor can apply for the “MamaKerja” childcare incentive, allowing them to receive a one-off payment of RM1,000 to help alleviate the cost of childcare.

State Women and Social Welfare Committee chairman Anfaal Saari said applications can be submitted through the Selangkah app with several eligibility requirements in place, including having a minimum of three children aged 12 or below and a household income of RM8,000 or less.

“Those eligible will receive the cash assistance in their accounts within 14 working days after their applications are approved,” she said at the launch of the MamaKerja incentive in Shah Alam today.

Further information about the initiative, including other requirements and necessary supporting documents, can be found on the Selangkah website or through the Selcare hotline at 1-800-22-6600.

Anfaal said latest data from the Statistics Department reveal that the workforce rate among women in Selangor was relatively low, at 69.9%, compared to men at 83.5%.   

A study by the Merdeka Center and Asia Foundation from 2020 to 2022 also showed that working women faced high childcare costs, she said.

Anfaal said the MamaKerja incentive, which has an allocation of RM5 million, is part of the Selangor government’s strategy to support women’s participation in the workforce.

She said this is in line with its “Enhancing Social Inclusivity and the Welfare of the People” approach taken under the First Selangor Plan (RS-1) that focuses on women and family institutions.

The RS-1 outlines more than 12 programmes that support the development and welfare of family institutions in Selangor.

They include incentives for childcare programmes in kindergartens for B40 families (Asuh Pintar), assistance for early childhood education in kindergartens (Tunas) and financial aid for education and therapy for special needs children (Bantuan Khas dan Didik Anis) benefiting more than 20,000 recipients. – Bernama, October 26, 2023.