PUTRAJAYA – The Human Resources Ministry is currently studying whether the work-from-home (WFH) concept can be implemented even after the current stages of the movement control order (MCO) are brought to an end.
Its minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the WFH practice would only involve several sectors whose work rate of employees can be measured while they operate from home.
The implementation of the MCO since March last year brought forth a new norm to the nation’s populace as many employers and employees took WFH measures.
“We realised that several sectors, despite (their staff) working from home, remained very successful. As such, this can be proposed for sectors that have seen success,” he said after officiating at an event to review his achievements over the last 365 days at the ministry’s headquarters here today.
The success of the WFH concept, he stressed, largely depends on the sincerity of employees.
This is because some employees have taken the opportunity to play truant after the concept was implemented, he added.
Additionally, Saravanan said the implementation would see costs being reduced.
His comments on the matter came after Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said in his 2021 Women’s Day address yesterday that the Public Services Department and Human Resources Ministry have been asked to study the viability of accommodating WFH facilities for the public and private sectors, with full salary.
Muhyiddin also said that the initiative, among others, would enable public- and private-sector employees to take care of sick or ill family members, and provide support to mothers in caring for their newborns, thus encouraging a sense of shared responsibility.
He added that the move would also allow female workers to remain in employment, thus increasing work productivity. – The Vibes, March 9, 2021
