Give workers extra day off to undergo health screening, suggests Health Ministry

REMBAU: Employers should give workers an additional day of leave to undergo health screening, proposes the Health Ministry.

Its minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the cooperation of employers in the public and private sectors was important to ensure that their employees undergo health screening.

He also urged the Finance Ministry to look into drawing up regulations for employers to enable this.

"When a worker wants a have a medical check-up, usually once a year, hopefully employers allow it. Otherwise, they will have to take it from their annual leave," he said after officiating at the Merdeka@Parlimen Rembau programme held at the Kampung Seri Kendong community hall here on Sunday (Sept 11).

Also present was Negri Sembilan Information Department director, Zaaba Abu Bakar.

Khairy said employers needed to take into consideration the situation faced by the employees who might not have time to undergo health screening on weekends.

"They are not able to do it during working hours and they'll be busy with their families on weekends. In the end, they are unable to undergo health screening.

"I've requested for this under the 2023 Budget as it will have an impact on the employers," he added.

The media had in July reported on the low level of awareness of Malaysians, which was at 53%, in not undergoing health screening since one year ago.

Khairy, in his speech, spoke on the people's togetherness in ensuring the country's capability of facing the challenges brought by Covid-19.

He said the cooperation and support of the people had pushed the country into the endemic phase of Covid-19 due to their adherence to the public health safety measures implemented. – Bernama