MTUC continues to push for 6-hour work day

After its initial bid for the 6-hour work day was rejected, the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has vowed to continue fighting.

According to Malay Mail Online, Berita Harian reported that the MTUC secretary-general N. Gopal Krishnan said that the suggestion is not only intended for civil servants but all 14.2 million workers, including foreigners and private sector employees.

"The plan was already submitted to the government two years ago. It was made after we researched the implementation of the said working hours in several European nations and Scandinavia.

"Other countries in this region such as Thailand and Vietnam also practise the system. Though may developed countries opt for the six-hour work schedule, it did not deter their productivity," he was quoted saying.

Gopal reportedly said that MTUC would be meeting with the Human Resource Ministry again to table the union's suggestion.

The reason for the six-hour work day proposal - it would reduce medical leave days, apart from stimulating productivity, Gopal said.

Earlier on October 5, the union reiterated its demands for Malaysia to move to a six-hour work day following the introduction of the policy in Sweden.

"Local daily Harian Metro reported today MTUC president Mohd Khalid Atan as saying that the change in work hours was crucial for employee health in Malaysia," Malay Mail Online wrote.

Earlier this week, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said existing working hours for civil servants will remain, amid a proposal to introduce six-hour work days for the civil service, Malay Mail Online reported.

He said the proposal from the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) had been studied and found to be detrimental to the civil service.

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