Cuepacs Sarawak wants guidelines on new flexible working hours

KUCHING: Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) Sarawak branch has called on the federal government to come up with guidelines for the implementation of flexible working hours for federal departments.

Its chairman Ahmad Malie said such guidelines would ensure this new policy is carried out effectively for the greater benefit of the departments and to forge better understanding between the subordinates and their superiors in the organisation.

“Cuepacs Sarawak hopes that with this new policy of flexible working hours, the civil servants involved will be more committed in their service delivery as they have a better conducive environment to do so. Let us give better service to the people especially those who are clients of the civil service,” he said.

Ahmad was asked to comment on the announcement in a circular issued by Public Service Department (PSD) directorgeneral Datuk Seri Borhan Dolah of the new flexible working hours at all federal ministries and departments nationwide beginning March 1 (tomorrow).

According to news reports, the move is aimed at standardising the present four types of staggered working hours which were introduced by the PSD in 1998.

The circular stated that the flexible working hours will be introduced in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya and all federal departments in Perlis, Perak, Selangor, Johor, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak.

It also stated that a civil servant can choose to come to work between 7.30am and 8.30am and leave between 4.30pm and 5.30pm on working days provided that the person has clocked in nine working hours.

Ahmad said Cuepacs Sarawak fully supports this new policy to complement the current staggered working hours which has been implemented since 1998.

This is because the new policy is more flexible in terms of working hours and enables civil servants to handle emergencies or urgent matters without going through much stress, he added.

“They may come across situations which need their immediate action at home, or when they encounter problems on the road during the particular working day. For example, they may be under stress when encountering bad traffic jams while on the way to work. But with this new policy, they can come to work at 8.10am and leave at 5.01pm without having to worry about being recorded for clocking in late.

“Because of this, we support this good policy which is for the better welfare and benefit of the civil servants,” he said.