“Cutting work hours doesn’t hurt the quality of service; it’s been done before.” – CUEPACS

Initiatives to reduce working hours, such as the Johor Government’s plan, will not compromise the quality and productivity of the public sector; rather, they can enhance the efficiency of public service delivery.

Datuk Dr Adnan Mat, President of the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public Service (CUEPACS), stated that the Johor Government’s initiative to assess the proposed implementation aligns with the government’s efforts to enhance productivity and fortify the public service delivery system.

He stated that the initiative to reduce working hours should not be perceived negatively since it has been implemented previously.

He stated that on 1 January 2023, the government, via the Employment Act 1955 (Amendment 2022), lowered the working hours from 48 to 45 hours per week.

CUEPACS endorses the Johor Government’s initiative to contemplate the adjustment of public sector working hours in the state to four and a half days.

All employment sectors, including the public sector, do not immediately experience a decrease in productivity due to the implementation and coordination of numerous measures aimed at continuously enhancing productivity quality.

CUEPACS is optimistic that the implementation of the new process and system will result in greater productivity due to employees feeling driven and valued during shorter working hours.

CUEPACS asserts that the government’s digitalization initiatives, in conjunction with the Malaysia Madani public service reform agenda, will enhance service delivery efficiency without compromising quality, as stated in a recent announcement.

According to reports yesterday, Johor was reviewing a plan to change the public sector’s working hours to four and a half days per week.

Chief Minister Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi reportedly stated that this was in response to the reinstatement of the weekend holiday, reverting to Saturday and Sunday, effective January 1, 2025.

Adnan stated that the government assured CUEPACS that it would not proceed with the topic without further investigations and study.

He stated that the prior administration had also implemented many methods to enhance the quality of the public sector by prioritizing human capital development, expediting digitization, and underscoring excellent governance.

CUEPACS is assured that government workers will persist in delivering optimal service to the public regardless of the conditions.

The reduction of working hours enables people to have better lives and work without stress, thereby enhancing job productivity.

“This initiative can indirectly establish equilibrium in employees’ work-life balance without compromising the productivity expectations set by the employer,” he stated.

Adnan stated that all parties must be receptive to initiatives aimed at enhancing employees’ quality of life to facilitate a balance between work and personal life.

He stated that in executing the suggested decrease in working hours, companies must also be ready to guarantee that its adoption does not yield adverse effects.

Many affluent nations have reduced working hours without impacting the productivity of their workforce.

“Iceland serves as a benchmark for success in decreasing working hours, from an average of 40 hours to 35 hours per week,” he stated.