Malaysia’s Public Service union has called for a pause in industrial action over issues faced by contract medical officers while health services still faced a critical situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
President of the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS), Adnan Mat (pictured) said he was prepared to act as a mediator to solve problems faced by young medical officers.
“It is our view that there should be no contract appointments within the Civil Service and especially in the essential health service sector,” Mr Adnan said.
“With no employment security and career development, young medical officers find it difficult to plan for the future because they have to wait for their contract to be extended all the time,” he said.
Mr Adnan said it was improper for an essential sector under the Ministry of Health to be subject to contract employment and the matter must be reviewed because the services were needed for the people and country.
The President said CUEPACS hoped the Government would be able to resolve the problem immediately and would consider giving permanent appointments to contract medical officers who had proven to be competent while the country was experiencing the public health emergency.
“The yearly increase in Malaysia’s population of around 900,000 to one million people means more doctors are needed to treat and run the country’s health facilities,” he said.
Kuala Lumpur, 30 June 2021
