THE Public Service Department (PSD) today said the proposed four-day work week is still being scrutinised.

Its director-general Mohd Shafiq Abdullah said although some countries have begun trialling the shorter work week, the approach should be viewed holistically, especially in terms of its suitability and effectiveness for the country’s public service structure.

“PSD is also aware of the impact of the implementation of any new policy on the public service delivery system, especially when the government is in the process of reviving the country’s economy for the wellbeing of Keluarga Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.

On June 30, Shafiq said PSD had set up a special team to study the implementation of a four-day work week following a request for a thorough analysis from various parties.

Yesterday, Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public Service (Cuepacs) president Adnan Mat was reported as saying that Malaysia was not ready just yet for a shorter working week as there were other pending matters involving workers’ welfare and salaries that have yet to be resolved by the government and employers.

Shafiq said PSD took note of the views of Cuepacs and various parties on the implementation of the four-day work week and was always feedback so that an empirical and feasibility study on the proposal can be conducted. 

“PSD also constantly studies various aspects in terms of facilities, career advancement and improvement of work processes for a better people-centric public service delivery system,” he said. – Bernama, July 5, 2022.