PETALING JAYA: The contract doctors' movement, Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK) has called for the immediate retraction of the Waktu Bekerja Berlainan (WBB) shift system circular
In a statement on Thursday (Jan 16), it said that this has caused “unprecedented outrage” among the medical community as the Health Ministry announced it without prior engagement with key stakeholders.
"The nature of this decision mirrors a severe disassociation between policymakers and those on the frontline in delivering critical care to patients," it said.
HDK then added that the WBB system imposes exploitative and dangerous 18-hour shifts, including graveyard hours, without on-call allowances, depriving healthcare workers of their just compensation.
It also said that this further increases mental and physical strain and compromises patient care.
"This reflects the top-down approach that is corroding trust and morale by introducing such a drastic change without consulting doctors, medical associations, or unions," said HDK
"Doctors are not numbers in a 45-hour workweek; they are professionals with colossal responsibility and unique challenges, quite different from those in office jobs," it added.
HDK said the WBB system claims to reduce working hours to improve doctors' welfare, but in reality, the Health Ministry lowers doctors' take-home pay while forcing them to work all-night shifts without additional compensation.
"We call for the immediate withdrawal of the circular and urgent consultations with key stakeholders, including doctors, medical associations, and unions before introducing any policy affecting doctors' working conditions.
The process must be transparent and inclusive," it added.
