Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Medical Services Union (SMSU) has lauded the Federal Government’s decision to retain the 42-hour work week for specific healthcare personnel, describing it as “timely and compassionate”.
SMSU President Ajulahin Japin, who also heads the Coalition of President and General Secretary of 26 healthcare workers’ unions under the Ministry of Health, said the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 11 reflects the administration’s understanding of the immense workload carried by frontline health workers.
The decision, made during an official meeting with healthcare unions at the Prime Minister’s Office, applies to medical officers, nurses, community nurses and healthcare assistants.
“This is the result of a long and persistent campaign by unions across the country. We appreciate the Prime Minister’s and the Madani Government’s sensitivity and willingness to engage with us,” Ajulahin said in a statement.
He said the move acknowledges the critical role of healthcare staff who serve as the backbone of the country’s medical services and often work beyond their limits to meet the demands of the system.
However, SMSU urged the Government not to stop there.
The union is calling for the same consideration to be extended to other shift-based healthcare personnel such as pharmacy assistants, ambulance drivers and clinical support staff who, it said, face similarly demanding working conditions.
“Social justice and equitable treatment for all healthcare workers are crucial to sustaining morale and ensuring the delivery of quality services,” Ajulahin said.
The union hopes the Government will continue to open dialogues with stakeholders and ensure that future decisions align with the values of inclusiveness under the Malaysia Madani framework.
