Why issue order then reconsider, MP asks on nurses' work hours

An opposition MP questioned why the Health Ministry is refining the order for nurses to work an additional three hours a week only after the directive was issued.

Temerloh MP Salamiah Mohd Nor said she received information on the “refining” from five organisations representing nurses.

“This is the result of orders under the Civil Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which requires nurses at hospital wards to work an additional three hours a week starting Dec 1.

“What is surprising is that after the order went out, only then did the Health Ministry want to refine and reconsider.

“This should have been refined and then only the order made,” she told a press conference at Parliament today.

Last week, Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran said that over 77,000 nurses will be affected by the directive, which would require nurses to work 45 hours a week, an increase from 42.

He said the measure will not only affect the healthcare sector but other critical sectors such as emergency services and security.

In comparison, he said office government workers are expected to work only 38 hours a week.

Meanwhile, Salamiah said she thought it was baffling that the three additional hours of work were framed as as kebajikan (charitable).

“What is even more surprising is that the Health Ministry said that 42 hours out of the 45 is work time, meaning that the additional three hours are a form of charity.

“Where is the charity that is mentioned by the Health Ministry?” she said.

Salamiah said her fellow female Perikatan Nasional lawmakers hoped the Health Ministry would suspend the additional work hours order while it is being reviewed as Dec 1 is only days away.

“We see the appeals and suggestions from nurses’ associations that some of them really do not agree with this new order,” she added.

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