KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has expressed concerns over the lack of comprehensive dialogue between the government and professional bodies, such as the Malaysian Nurses Union (MNU), regarding extended working hours for nurses.
MTUC president Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani said such an approach undermines the collaborative efforts to develop fair policies that align with on-the-ground realities.
He said that increasing working hours without addressing existing challenges could heighten work stress and fatigue; and reduce job satisfaction among nurses.
"The mental well-being of nurses, already impacted by excessive workloads, could also negatively affect the quality of patient care.
"If nurses experience mental stress or fatigue, it increases the risk of errors in patient care, compromising both their safety and health," he said in a statement.
Several quarters have expressed concerns over the requirement for hospital ward nurses to work an additional three hours a week starting Dec 1, which has been deemed unfair.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, however, defended the new directive, describing it as reasonable because the welfare of healthcare frontliners would be better managed with more flexible shift hours.
Mohd Effendy warned that longer working hours could push nurses to seek better working conditions elsewhere, exacerbating the healthcare sector's staffing shortages.
As such, he urged the government to hold immediate discussions with the MNU and other stakeholders to reassess this decision.
"This engagement is crucial to develop solutions that balance operational needs with the welfare of healthcare workers.
"MTUC also recommends that the government conduct a comprehensive review of nurses' working conditions, including workloads, compensation, and support systems, to ensure a sustainable, motivated workforce with good mental well-being," he said.
He said MTUC emphasises the importance of engaging unions and professional bodies in policy formulation to ensure inclusive and effective healthcare strategies.
"MTUC stands in solidarity with MNU and the nursing community, urging that their welfare be prioritised in every decision made.
"Nurses are the backbone of the national healthcare system, and their welfare must not be compromised to ensure the quality of services provided to the public," he said.
The Health Ministry earlier said it would review proposals from five nurses' associations as part of feedback on the recent increase in weekly work hours.
This comes after criticisms towards a new directive under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which now mandates 45 hours compared to the previous 42 hours.