CONTRACT doctors are expected to proceed with their three-day strike from tomorrow over salaries and benefits despite assurances by the Health Ministry to look into their grouses.

A representative of the protest organiser Mogok Doktor Malaysia has been reported as telling Astro Awani that they have lost faith in the ministry in addressing their problems.

Yesterday, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa urged the doctors to stay away from the strike, saying that a healthcare reforms commission would be set up to address the issues raised.

“We are disappointed and have lost faith in the Health Ministry,” a representative who only wanted to be known as Dr Jamal was quoted as telling Astro Awani.

“The problem will not be solved as long as 83% of contract doctors are not given permanent positions.”

Jamal also claimed that between 10,000 and 13,000 healthcare workers nationwide were expected to join the strike.

Earlier today, the Health Ministry warned contract doctors against taking part in the strike, calling it an illegal gathering.

It cited a circular by the Public Service director-general on June 30, which states that civil servants are prohibited from participating in any form of illegal gathering.

“Participation by civil servants in illegal gatherings is a violation of rule 4(1) and 4(2),” it tweeted, citing the Peraturan Pegawai Awam (Kelakuan dan Tatatertib) 1993.

The ministry defined the participation as an “active involvement outside during work hours” and “using work hours and leaving work to watch and join an assembly”.

“Civil servants must not conduct their work or behave in ways that will conflict with their duties and effectiveness as civil servants,” it said in the post.

Last week, Mogok Doktor Malaysia, called on fellow contract staff to show solidarity by either taking emergency or medical leave from Monday to Wednesday over grievances about the system and low wages.

The group demands absorption of all contract medical officers into permanent positions without any conditions or interviews; basic salary increment; higher on-call rates; a resolution to the shortage of specialists, medical officers and house officers; and an automatic reduction in the compulsory service term for medical officers to three years. – April 2, 2023.