Health Ministry appealing for moratorium on 45-hour work week for nurses, says Dzulkefly

The Star

The Health Ministry is seeking a moratorium on the 45-hour work week for its shift workers, says Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.  During his winding-up speech in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 25), Dzulkefly emphasised that while the shift increase from 42 to 45 hours requires further review, it should not burden staff with additional workload.  Read more at https://tinyurl.com/3hwfn3km   WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:00I will start my introduction by answering the issues that have been frequently raised since the last meeting

00:06related to human resources in the Ministry of Health.

00:09YB Kota Melaka, Kuala Langat, Pulai and Kuala Nurus have raised the issue of overtime

00:16which has increased from 42 hours per week to 45 hours per week on SSBA.

00:23I am very aware of the concerns and concerns of many voices, especially from the lecturers.

00:37And in this regard, the Public Service Department, JPA, has passed the interim term.

00:43We ask for a little time,

00:47the interim term for three months, starting from 1st December 2024 until 28th February 2025

00:56to prepare for the implementation of the 45-hour shift working time in the Ministry of Health.

01:03The shift work is different from the office hours.

01:08And with that, the Public Service Department is still asking for this interim or moratorium

01:17to be given to us so that we can implement the working time requested

01:26because we see some things related to charity, work pressure, etc.

01:35and other schemes related to the shift.

01:40So we hope we can harmonize this request with the request for a moratorium or part of the moratorium program.

01:55Since the interim term, KKM has taken several sessions related to management

02:00and public dialogue sessions according to zones throughout the country.

02:04Among the results of our management, among other things,

02:08we pay attention to the need to help the participants

02:19in arranging and scheduling the implementation of this 45-hour shift.

02:26Discussing issues in the field including the welfare of health workers

02:31and also looking for improvements to strengthen the implementation of the shift working time regulations

02:37at KKM before it was lifted for JPA consideration.

02:42And I also held a session on management with the unions.

02:50Six or seven sessions were held on February 20 as an arrangement for our first session.

02:59This is a comprehensive view of the implementation of the shift working time regulations.

03:11And I still want to have a discussion with the JPA.

03:20Does the meaning of 42 plus 3 mean that we are still weighing

03:26so that what becomes a burden to the health workers or our workforce

03:33is the addition of 45 hours a week.

03:36I am very aware and I am very sincere that this burden of work will be added.

03:41That is why I am still taking the attitude to consult with the JPA

03:47so that whatever the truth is, the health workers have been working for more than 42 hours a week

03:54for a long time.

03:56Because the things related to their rest and passing over are not taken into account.

04:02So can we consult so that whatever is said in the terms of 42 plus 3

04:09it does not add to the burden of work to them.

04:14And this is what we want to harmonize with the new SSPA requirement

04:18so that we can have a win-win situation

04:23or for us to be able to rely on this agreement.

04:30And I still want the highest management of the KKM to consult with the JPA.

04:36That is why we need a little more time

04:39for us to be able to solve this problem comprehensively.

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