Nurses’ union hails ‘morale-boosting’ 42-hour work week

KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 — The government’s decision to maintain a 42-hour work week for shift-based healthcare workers is set to boost their morale and motivation to continue delivering the best service to the public, said Malayan Nurses Union (MNU) president Saaidah Athman.

She welcomed the move, calling it a reflection of the government’s concern for the welfare of civil healthcare servants.

“On behalf of all MNU members, I extend our heartfelt thanks to the prime minister, chief secretary to the government, Public Service Department (JPA) director-general, and health minister for this decision,” she said when contacted by Bernama.

Yesterday, the JPA announced that the government had agreed to exempt five critical service schemes under the Health Ministry from a 45-hour shift work week, maintaining their hours at 42 per week instead.

The exemption covers 82,637 front-line personnel, including nurses, community nurses, emergency department medical officers, assistant medical officers, and healthcare assistants.

Saaidah said the MNU had raised concerns over the proposed increase in hours last November, through multiple consultations with the Health Ministry, including a meeting with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

“We conveyed all the views and hopes of our members to ensure the best possible outcome,” she said.

Looking ahead, she urged the government to review salaries and allowance for healthcare workers and consider creating more critical posts to strengthen the national healthcare system.

— Bernama