Many working parents dazed by haze, says doctor
The closure of schools due to the haze has left many working parents in a dilemma with no help at home.
In a Facebook post, a Johor-based medical doctor noted an increase in the number of parents requesting for medical leave although they are not physically affected by the haze or other incidents which led to the closure of schools...
The closure of schools due to the haze has left many working parents in a dilemma with no help at home.
In a Facebook post, a Johor-based medical doctor noted an increase in the number of parents requesting for medical leave although they are not physically affected by the haze or other incidents which led to the closure of schools.
"Doctors are put in a difficult spot.
"A doctor cannot issue medical leave to these parents, but if they don't, there will be no one at home to look after their children," said Dr Kamarul Ariffin Nor Sadan.
While parents tend to expect doctors to issue them with medical leave, Kamarul, who is also known on social media as @dr_chaku, said the onus should be on employers to use their discretion and allow workers to take time off work.
As an alternative, he suggested for the Education Ministry to issue a circular to employers, informing them of the school closures and requesting an exemption to allow for emergency leave.
"Medical leave can only be issued to real patients. Do not allow this kaotim (negotiating) behaviour to become a norm.
"If really want to kaotim, do it with the employer," he said.
Kamarul pointed out that in the current haze situation and other past similar incidents, there will be a larger number of real patients seeking treatment, and it would be unfair for them to endure a long wait due to parents who are only seeking medical leave.
The Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Shamsuddin Bardan, however, said that employers should not be expected to grant emergency leave requests by parents whose children are kept out of school due to the haze.
He argued that most parents would already have an arrangement for their children on normal schooling days and it should be extended to days when schools are closed.
"Don't expect employers to grant leave when schools are closed just so they can take care of their children.
"The annual leave allocation can be utilised by workers who need to do so," he told Malaysiakini.
"Due to the unpredictable nature of the haze, a shorter notice can be considered by employers," he conceded.
According to the Education Ministry, the closure of 1,484 schools has affected over one million students as of 1pm.
In a statement, it said 538 schools in Selangor have closed, along with 337 in Sarawak, Perak (303), Penang (162), Kuala Lumpur (66), Negeri Sembilan (53) and Putrajaya (25).
The Education Ministry had earlier today reminded all schools to immediately be shut should API readings in their areas exceed 200.
Youth and Sports Ministry staff to work from home
In a related development, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (above) today announced the implementation of a "Work from Home Policy" for all ministry staffs in areas where the Air Pollutant Index is above 200 or classified as very unhealthy.
Syed Saddiq in a statement said the policy will be implemented at the discretion of department heads to ensure there is no compromise to the work being carried out.
As of 3pm today, areas which recorded "very unhealthy" API readings were Kulim Hi-Tech (205) in Kedah; Minden (233) and Balik Pulau (263) in Penang; Taiping (205) in Perak; Batu Muda (20) in Kuala Lumpur; Putrajaya (202); Petaling Jaya (209), Shah Alam (221), Klang (201) and Johan Setia Klang (260) in Selangor; Nilai (211) in Negeri Sembilan; Kuching (204) and Sri Aman (234) in Sarawak.
An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy and 300 and above, hazardous.
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