KUCHING: The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy has strongly opposed the 45-hour workweek directive for nurses, warning that it is unsuitable for their demanding shift-based roles and could jeopardise the well-being of the nation’s healthcare workforce.
Its CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib said while the directive was aimed at achieving uniformity, it fails to address the nuanced realities of shift-based nursing roles and the physical, mental, and emotional toll they endure.
“The proposed schedules, which may result in longer hours and insufficient rest for nurses, risk exacerbating workforce fatigue, diminishing work-life balance, and compromising the quality of patient care.
“Nurses who commute long distances or balance caregiving roles at home, especially mothers, would face additional pressures, further intensifying existing challenges. It may push nurses to leave and resign from the public health service altogether.
“This critical workforce, which is already overburdened by shortages and demanding shift schedules, must not be subjected to additional demands without adequate support and consideration of their unique challenges,” he said in a statement today.
Azrul further highlighted that Malaysia’s healthcare system is facing an urgent workforce crisis. In 2023, there were 6,896 nursing vacancies, most of which remain unfilled.
“There is also an ongoing trend of mass resignations of these vital healthcare workers from the public health service. This alarming reality underlines the pressing need to not only retain but also support and expand the nursing workforce,” he said.
He noted that the Malayan Nurses Union (MNU) has proposed practical adjustments to address these challenges, such as counting additional hours as break time and modifying shift durations.
“These solutions deserve urgent consideration and implementation to prevent the erosion of nurse well-being and the sustainability of Malaysia’s health care services,” added Azrul.
The Galen Centre underscored the importance of prioritising the welfare of nurses, calling on the PSD, Ministry of Health, and other authorities to address the concerns raised by the MNU.
“We urge the Public Service Department and Ministry of Health and relevant authorities to heed the concerns raised by the Malayan Nurses Union and health care professionals across the country.
“Ensuring the welfare of nurses is not merely a workforce issue—it is a cornerstone of delivering safe, high-quality, and consistent care to patients nationwide,” he added.
