KUALA LUMPUR, August 2 — The Hulu Langat district health office (PKD) has restricted maternity leave entitlement to 60 days for all medical officers in public health clinics (Klinik Kesihatan) in its district since last June 27.
There are 15 Klinik Kesihatan in the Hulu Langat district: Batu 9, Kajang, Batu 14, Bandar Baru Bangi, Semenyih, Ampang, Beranang, Bandar Seri Putra, Sungai Chua, Balakong, Sungai Sekamat, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, Rinching Tengah, and Taman Nirwana, as well as Klinik Ibu dan Anak Cheras Baru.
“This instruction was made due to a critical shortage of medical officers in all Klinik Kesihatan that has been found to affect health service delivery to customers,” the Hulu Langat PKD said in a June 27 circular, as sighted by CodeBlue.
“This instruction is in effect immediately from the date of this letter until further notice.”
The Hulu Langat PKD also said women staff at 36 weeks of pregnancy or more will still be allowed to return home from work an hour earlier.
According to the Public Service Department’s (JPA) website, civil servants are entitled to maternity leave of between 60 and 90 days for each birth.
In an FAQ on a scenario of a head of department approving only 60 days of maternity leave due to staff shortage, JPA says this is permitted “considering the exigency of the service.”
Under the 2022 amendment of the Employment Act 1955 that covers all private sector employees – which came into force on January 1, 2023 – paid maternity leave entitlement was increased from 60 to 98 days, matching international labour standards.
A medical officer (MO) at a Klinik Kesihatan in Selangor slammed the “totally unfair” 60-day maternity leave limit for doctors in public health clinics under the Hulu Langat PKD.
“We, the MOs of Klinik Kesihatan, have always been the victim of lack of manpower, where we have to compensate in every way in order to make up for the patient load,” the government doctor told CodeBlue on condition of anonymity, as civil servants are prohibited from speaking to the press.
“MOs and superiors in PKD have not stepped down to help us in any way and the new rules do not apply to them, which is totally unfair and unacceptable.
“There has been no difference for many years now despite fighting for our rights every now and then. We need your help to voice this out louder; we want to be heard.”
