KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) has been urged to conduct a comprehensive study on the Non-Office Working Hours for all healthcare workers.
The Health Ministry’s main employees’ union, MAPSU (Majlis Gabungan Presiden dan Setiausaha Agung Kesatuan Sekerja) secretary, Reostam Dhazar, said this is because healthcare workers, particularly those working in non-office environments such as hospitals, health clinics, and rural areas, face unique challenges that require attention and effective solutions.
In this regard, MAPSU has proposed that MOH set up a special committee involving union representatives, healthcare workers, and relevant experts to ensure the study addresses a wide range of important aspects.
“Among the aspects suggested are the effectiveness of working hours in relation to work-life balance, the safety and health of healthcare workers in the workplace, and efficiency in service delivery to the public.
“Furthermore, the study should also look into fair and reasonable work scheduling for all categories of healthcare workers, while maintaining the previously set 42-hour workweek,” he said in a statement here today.
He said this is because the proposed increase in working hours to 45 hours per week would only add pressure on healthcare workers.
Any increase in working hours, he added, would only worsen work-related stress and affect the well-being of healthcare workers, which could, in turn, have a negative impact on the quality of service delivery to the public.
Reostam said that MAPSU remains committed to working with MOH to ensure the welfare and well-being of healthcare workers are always safeguarded in order to enhance the quality of services provided to the public.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced in a statement yesterday that the Cabinet had decided to cancel the ‘Waktu Bekerja Berlainan’ (WBB) pilot project to allow for a more in-depth and comprehensive study.
Dr Dzulkefly said the decision was made after careful consideration, and as a result, MOH will set up a special committee to be chaired by former Health Director-General Tan Sri Abu Bakar Suleiman.– BERNAMA
