PSD initiates study on four-day work week

SHAH ALAM – The proposed four-day working week is at the research stage, said Public Service Department (PSD) director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shafiq Abdullah.

The research will be viewed holistically, especially in terms of the fit and efficacy of the public service structure in the country, despite the fact that some countries are implementing a four-day working week on a trial basis.

"PSD is aware of the impact on the public service delivery system, especially when the government is in the process of reviving the country's economy for the well -being of Malaysian families," he said in a statement today.

On June 30, Shafiq had said that PSD had formed a special committee to look into the implementation of working hours four days per week, this comes after several parties had demanded the government to conduct thorough research on the matter.

Datuk Adnan Mat, head of the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public Service (Cuepacs) said yesterday that working four days a week was not appropriate in Malaysia at this time due to other issues concerning welfare and salary schemes that the government needs to address.

He added that "PSD also continuously investigates many issues in terms of facilities, career growth, and process improvement that lead to the enhancement of the people-centered public service delivery system."