PETALING JAYA: In a policy U-turn that puts compassion before compliance, the government has exempted over 82,000 frontline healthcare workers from the controversial 45-hour work week.
Citing the relentless demands of life-saving duties, the move comes as a relief to nurses, emergency doctors, and medical assistants who had warned that longer shifts could jeopardise both care and caregiver.
The exemption covers some 82,637 healthcare workers from five critical service schemes under the Health Ministry who now need to clock in only 42 hours a week, says the Public Services Department (PSD).
From last year, The Star ran a series of articles highlighting the Malayan Nurses Union’s concerns that the 45-hour work week may worsen fatigue, stress, and work-life imbalance among nurses already stretched thin by manpower shortages.
They argued that the policy fails to consider the realities of shift work, especially night duties, and could affect critical healthcare services.
The Health Ministry maintains the adjustment was reasonable and promises flexibility, but unions and groups like Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK) pushed for a review to protect nurse welfare.
In an immediate response to the development, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad expressed his gratitude for the long awaited announcement.
“A million thanks to the Honourable Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his compassion and concern, with shift work now being exempted for 82,637 healthcare workers across the country,” he said in a Facebook post.
Yesterday, HDK also welcomed the announcement by the ministry.
When contacted, Malayan Nurses Union president Saaidah Athman expressed gratitude that the government had taken note of the concerns raised by the union and their efforts to maintain the well-being of healthcare personnel, particularly nurses.
“We hope that this decision will further strengthen the spirit, commitment, and integrity of all nurses in carrying out their duties,” she said.
Senator RA Lingeswaran, who has been vocal about the issue, also expressed his relief of the good turn of events.
“This is a great recognition of the sacrifices, hardships and perseverance of our health workers who work day and night for saving lives regardless of time.
“The move is proof of the government’s concern for the mental, physical and emotional well-being of frontliners,” he said.
The 45-hour work week was supposed to come into effect on March 1 but several nursing groups had opposed it. They called for the working hours to be maintained at 42 hours.
On March 8, the PSD granted an interim moratorium for healthcare staffers by three months.
Although the PSD had agreed to extend the interim period, the ministry said healthcare facilities which had prepared to adopt the 45 working hours under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) can go ahead.
In announcing the exemption, PSD said the government took note of the concerns voiced by healthcare workers, especially nurses, regarding the implementation of the said work schedule under the SSPA.
“Under this exemption, the working hours for the affected healthcare workers will be set at 42 hours per week,” it said yesterday.
The exemption will involve nurses, community nurses, medical officers in the Emergency Departments, assistant medical officers, and healthcare assistants.
The PSD added this was introduced after conducting a thorough assessment of operational needs and recognising the critical and demanding nature of duties carried out by healthcare personnel, who are directly involved in life-saving situations at all hours.
It added that the government views these responsibilities as requiring an exceptional level of physical, mental, and emotional preparedness.
