KUALA LUMPUR, August 7 — Hartal Doktor Kontrak (HDK) has commended Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad for his “decisive intervention” in restoring 90-day maternity leave for medical officers in Hulu Langat, Selangor.
Yesterday, amid massive public backlash, the health minister announced a reversal of the Hulu Langat district health office’s (PKD) decision to cut maternity leave from 90 to 60 days for women doctors in all 15 public health clinics in the district from last June 27 due to “critical” staff shortages.
“His prompt action underscores his commitment to the wellbeing of health care professionals and aligns with World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) standards,” HDK said in a statement.
“This incident highlights the critical need for directors at both the state and district health levels who not only possess strong leadership skills, but also exhibit a deep sense of humanity and conscience.
“It is essential that these leaders prioritise the welfare of their staff, addressing challenges proactively to ensure the rights and well-being of all health care workers are upheld.”
Although Dzulkefly told reporters yesterday that the reinstatement of 90-day maternity leave was decided at the same time when CodeBlue broke the story last Friday about Hulu Langat PKD’s circular, a statement by Selangor state health director Dr Ummi Kalthom Shamsudin released the next day after CodeBlue’s report had defended the legally permissible reduction of maternity leave to a minimum 60 days under Public Service Department (JPA) regulations.
“We express regret that such a matter had to be brought up outside of the management level before being addressed. The decision to cut the 90-day maternity leave to 60 days was very inhumane,” HDK said in its statement yesterday.
“It is disheartening that such an inhumane move was considered, highlighting the need for more compassionate leadership within the health care system.
“We remain committed to advocating for fair treatment and improved working conditions. We stand ready to support initiatives that enhance the health care system’s resilience and humanity.“
Public Service director-general Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz told Bernama in a report published yesterday that Hulu Langat PKD’s reduction of maternity leave to 60 days for medical officers did not violate maternity leave regulations, as the head of department is authorised to make such approvals based on the exigency of service.
He reportedly said paid maternity leave for public servants is set at between a minimum 60 days and maximum 90 days; there is no replacement for the 30 days of untaken leave if they take 60 days, but any remaining maternity leave can be used for the birth of a subsequent child.
Under the 2022 amendment of the Employment Act 1955 that covers all private sector employees – which came into force on January 1, 2023 – minimum paid maternity leave entitlement was increased from 60 to 98 days, matching international labour standards and five weeks longer than the minimum 60 days for the public sector.
The WHO mandates compliance with ILO standards of minimum 14 weeks, or 98 days, of maternity leave and support for breastfeeding.
Last Monday, HDK and the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) slammed the reduction of maternity leave for women medical officers in Klinik Kesihatan in Hulu Langat. The Selangor state health department’s (JKNS) justification for the shortened maternity leave of 60 days was also widely panned by both government doctors and the general public.
Yesterday, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri told reporters that she would raise the issue at today’s Cabinet meeting, stressing that civil servants are entitled to 90 days’ maternity leave.
