Bracing for a challenging time ahead due to the reduction of the prices of high-speed internet connection, Telekom Malaysia is slated to introduce a flexible working hour package for its staff.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a TM engineer told Malaysiakini that the package is aimed at those with part-time jobs.

"For the recovery process, TM conducted a survey for its employees called 'Gig Economy'. One of the questions was whether employees have a side income.

“For those who answered 'yes', TM would offer them the flexible working hour package,” he said.

According to him, the staff could choose from three options, which are:

To work from 8.30am - 3.30pm – 70 percent of current salary

To work from 10 am - 4.30pm – 70 percent of current salary

To work four days a week (normal working hours) – 80 percent of current salary

The engineer said the company would introduce a one-month trial for the programme and several employees have been called up by the human resources department in relation to this.

"A number of employees have welcomed the offer, especially those who are driving Grab to earn extra income,” he added.

According to him, TM is slated to announce the offer next Monday.

Meanwhile, in a press statement to Malaysiakini, TM said what was being circulated (on the flexible working hour options) was not what was announced at the recent media briefing by the company.

It stated that the company has several work-life practices that are established to manage the job expectations and productivity of the employees.

"The practices include flexible working hours, project-based work, school holidays work arrangement, telecommuting and seasonal work (contract staff only)," it said.

Last month, Communication and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said that prices for fixed broadband are expected to be reduced by 25 percent by the end of the year.

New Straits Times reported that Gobind had said the revised prices were to be introduced on Jan 1 by the previous government but TM had appealed to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to reconsider the position of some of the pricing components.

The decision to review the broadband prices was then put on hold pending consideration by the minister at that time.