PETALING JAYA: Putrajaya should maintain the work-from-home order for the public sector to avoid Covid-19 clusters at workplaces, the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) said today.
With Malaysia still logging daily four-digit Covid-19 infections, Cuepacs president Adnan Mat said the policy should be retained until the pandemic eases off or the nation achieves herd immunity.
“Work-from-home has become a norm in the civil service and its practice still enables the public service delivery system to operate as usual.
“The policy will not disrupt the delivery system if it is managed well. Cuepacs is of the view that the policy should continue until the country is really free from Covid-19,” he said in a statement today.
Adnan said instead of having a full workforce in the office, maintaining an optimal staff level could still ensure high performance levels while avoiding infections at the same time.
He pointed out that the Public Service Department had yet to issue any circulars or instructions that the rule had been abolished.
Adnan also advised the private sector not to rush in its return to full capacity, urging it to consider whether Covid-19 rules can be complied with first.
“Before this, the SOPs (standard operating procedures) were not complied with, causing clusters at workplaces. The same goes for the public sector: every department head needs to manage its operations and human resources well.”
Yesterday, Putrajaya announced that the work-from-home policy for the public sector and industries in areas under the conditional movement control order (CMCO) would be lifted starting tomorrow.
The workforce for offices in areas under the CMCO – Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang and Kelantan – is currently set at 30% for office and management staff. -- FMT
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