SSPA study: Shorter hours promote balanced work-family life, says expert

KUALA LUMPUR: The announcement of the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) study, which explores the possibility of shorter working hours for female civil servants, has received positive feedback from several women who see it as a step towards advancing their position in the workforce.

Despite previous efforts, the issue of women having to sacrifice work for family care has persisted without a clear solution. Professor Dr. Novel Lyndon from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Centre for Research in Development, Social & Environment emphasized that this initiative aligns with the government’s goal of achieving 60 per cent female labour force participation and aims to address challenges such as childcare arrangements and involvement in children’s education.

He stated, “These efforts not only strengthen family bonds but also assist couples with young children or newlyweds in managing their families better. Women’s roles involve domestic responsibilities, family care, and generating income to support their spouses and career growth.”

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced during the 2024 International Women’s Day Celebration that the ongoing SSPA study would explore options for providing female civil servants with more flexibility in their working hours to prioritize family commitments.

Anwar suggested that this flexibility could potentially involve adjusting pay rates, challenging traditional norms, as many women are forced to leave their careers to fulfill family obligations.

While acknowledging the positive impact of the SSPA study, Professor Novel stressed the importance of identifying the specific groups of women targeted in the review, such as single individuals or those without family commitments, and assessing how the proposed changes could affect their career progression.

Malaysian Broadcasting Department producer Fauzura Mat Yusoff expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential to empower women to better balance their professional and household responsibilities, thus enhancing their overall productivity.

She commented, “It provides an opportunity for women, who often juggle multiple roles, including that of mothers, to achieve a more harmonious life. By earning income and devoting more time to their families, they can thrive both personally and professionally.”

Information Officer at the Pahang State Information Department, Zayana Zahira Mohd Isa, 41, supported the SSPA study’s exploration of shorter working hours for women, viewing it as beneficial for families. However, she emphasized the importance of implementing it in a manner that maintains workers’ productivity.

She suggested, “I propose a rotational schedule since many women work in offices. If everyone leaves early or reduces their hours, it may impact office services.” – Bernama