The Malayan Nurses Union (MNU) is urging the Ministry of Health (KKM) to reconsider a staggered working hours (WBB) system that takes effect March 1 because of concerns it could cause more nurses to quit their jobs.
According to FMT, its president, Saaidah Athman, said the decision was made last night during his meeting with the Minister of Health, Dzulkefly Ahmad, and the Head of Health Directorate, Dr Radzi Abu Hassan.
At the meeting, Saaidah also submitted a memorandum to Dzulkefly.
In a directive by Jabatan Kekhidmatan Awam last November, ward nurses needed to work three additional hours every week, bringing their total weekly working time to 45 hours.
The new working time system was initially designed to start last December 1 but was postponed to March 1 following objections.
“I just met the Minister of Health, Dzulkefly Ahmad, regarding the 45-hour (work) issue. We don’t want to go against the policy created, but we want to consider improvements and advantages that can be reciprocal,” he told FMT.
She said that one of the considerations that the government can give is to provide more attractive opportunities or initiatives so that nurses can stay in the KKM for a long time.
Saaidah said that besides the burdensome working hours, the salary was also why nurses chose to finish their service and move to the private sector.
She said MNU and KKM are trying to talk to the nurses involved by offering a more flexible work system and other conveniences according to their needs.
“Nowadays, with the 45-hour work schedule, we cannot advise (nurses) not to quit,” she said.
Last January 30, the Malaysian Nursing Delegation denied establishing a 45-hour shift work week system because it was thought to have major negative implications for the nursing profession and the health system.
According to statistics released recently by KKM, more than 13,000 permanent and contract staff in the health sector took office between 2020 and last year.
Based on the fraction from the relevant period, the highest number of people taking positions were contracted medical employees, with 7,692 people, followed by permanent medical employees (1,856), permanent registered nurses (1,754), and medical specialists (1,217).
