Cutting Doctors Maternity Leave Violates Their Rights Cuepacs Pans Moh

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The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) has slammed the Health Ministry’s temporary measure to reduce maternity leave for medical officers at several public health clinics in Hulu Langat, Selangor.
In a statement today, Cuepacs president Adnan Mat said the ministry’s decision was a violation of employees’ rights.
“The decision to limit maternity leave to only 60 days (from 90 days) due to the lack of medical officers at the health office should not have happened if the matter had been given attention from the start.
“From a legal point of view, this does not violate existing regulations but from a welfare perspective, we have denied the rights of the employees,” Adnan said.
Last week, health portal CodeBlue reported that the Hulu Langat district health office had restricted maternity leave entitlement to 60 days for all medical officers working in public health clinics since June 27.
In a circular sighted by the portal, the Hulu Langat district health office said the leave restriction was due to a critical shortage of doctors in all public health clinics in the district.
Clinic heads approved
In response, Selangor State Health Department director Dr Ummi Kalthom Shamsudin clarified that all clinic heads in the district had agreed to the decision to reduce maternity leave.
According to Bernama, Ummi said the decision was reached considering seven medical officers were on maternity leave simultaneously at several health clinics throughout June and July.
However, she added that the Hulu Langat health office will still consider requests for additional maternity leave on a case-by-case basis and each approval is subject to the interests of the service.
Adnan expressed concerns that there will be an “element of coercion” against those applying for maternity leave. 
“This is because the (additional leave) approval is subject to service needs and the subjective consideration of department heads,” he added.
Lessons from Covid-19
Therefore, he urged the Health Ministry to immediately resolve medical staff shortages, which can jeopardise the operations of the national health service as well as neglect employees’ welfare.
Adnan said efforts to expedite the filling of vacancies need to be taken seriously to ensure health workers are not overburdened with overtime work to cover the shortage. 
“Cuepacs does not want the welfare of health workers to be neglected in ensuring that health services run as usual. 
“They are still human beings who need adequate rest, carry out healthy social activities, and they have families that need attention as well,” he added.
He expressed hopes that the ministry can strengthen the mobilisation of the health workforce to prevent critical shortages in any location.
“We have faced a situation where the spread of Covid-19 almost completely paralysed the nation’s health facilities.
“That experience should serve as a lesson for the government to further strengthen the mobilisation of health worker resources at various levels.”
‘Double standards’
Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK) also shared Adnan’s sentiments.
Condemning the ministry’s decision and Ummi’s “lack of empathy and humanity”, HDK pointed out that the World Health Organization mandates compliance with International Labour Organization standards, advocating for at least 14 weeks of maternity leave and support for breastfeeding.
“Hulu Langat district health office’s actions fall woefully short of these standards, highlighting a severe misalignment with international labour norms.
“It is particularly hypocritical that the government mandates 98 days of paid maternity leave for the private sector while failing to uphold the same standard within its own institutions.
“This double standard not only undermines trust and morale among public sector employees but also exposes a glaring inconsistency in the government's commitment to fair labour practices,” it said in a statement today.
Get rid of the rot
HDK also called on the ministry to urgently review and rectify the management practices of directors and department heads.
“Ineffective leaders and those perpetuating a culture of insensitivity and disregard for healthcare workers' welfare must be removed.
“Immediate action is necessary to uphold the rights and dignity of medical officers and to ensure a robust and humane healthcare system.
“These short-sighted, poor policies are precisely why medical officers reject government posts and continue to exit government service,” it stressed.
HDK urged the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to intervene and strongly oppose the Health Ministry directive.
“Their involvement is crucial to safeguard the rights of female healthcare workers and ensure equitable policies across all sectors.” - Mkini

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