Kuala Lumpur, 7 August 2024 — The Government should, without hesitation or delay, ensure that women employed in the civil service have access to the same rights and entitlements regarding maternity leave, as their counterparts in the private sector.

“This is 2024. Women are an important and vital component of our country’s workforce, and have been since Independence. Women should not be forced to choose between a career in the civil service, and having a child. Yet, there are circumstances where many doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals who have left the service, disappointed by the seemingly lack of compassion and empathy by administrators, especially since the COVID-19 crisis,” said Azrul Mohd Khalib, Chief Executive Officer of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy.

“Administrators are bound by administrative circulars, by bodies such as the Public Services Commission, and manpower realities. The head of the Hulu Langat district health office worked with what resources she had and the reality that there are fewer medical officers available. Such circumstances have undoubtedly occurred elsewhere around the country. However, this is an opportunity for this Government to introduce meaningful reform not just to the health service, or this particular incident, but the entire Malaysian civil service as a whole.”

“A number of things must change institutionally. Firstly, the Service Circulars for Human Resources (MyPPSM) should be immediately amended to reflect a maximum of 98 days full-pay maternity leave for all eligible civil servants. There is no need for the existing 60 day minimum.”

“Secondly, most importantly, attitudes regarding civil service employment must change. Practices which are exploitative in nature, such as unpaid or uncompensated labour, unreasonably long working hours, bullying, and curtailing of job entitlements such as leaves should not be normalised, romanticized, or desensitised. Unfortunately, some of these practices have been described for too long as sacrifices or altruism, especially in the healthcare space,” Azrul highlighted.

“Those who are in administrative roles and functions particularly Administrative and Diplomatic Officers or better known as Pegawai Tadbir dan Diplomatik (PTD) should know that a higher standard and better quality of governance is expected. The civil service has to compete with the private sector for workers, and better and dignified working conditions are a prerequisite and a bare minimum. It is not always about how much a person is paid,” he pointed out.

“Healthcare professionals including doctors and nurses who have voiced out their objections or insist on better working conditions, have been described as weak, soft, and pampered. As if experiencing abuse or neglect was a necessary trial by fire or badge of honour. We do them a disservice by waving off their concerns, taking complaints lightly, or gaslighting them. Listen to them, and respond appropriately.”

“We can and must find additional funds for locum doctors, contract healthcare professionals such as nurses and pharmacists. We cannot afford to lose dedicated people who have made a commitment to a career in public service, simply because they are asking for better or more supportive working conditions.”

“Not responding to this issue appropriately and progressively, would be a missed opportunity for the Government.”