Fuel subsidy cut may impact healthcare workers’ performance, warns union

KUCHING (April 3): The Joint Council of Presidents and Secretary-Generals of the Health Ministry Workers Union (Mapsu) has urged the federal government to reinstate the fuel subsidy quota of 300 litres per month for healthcare workers.

Mapsu president Ajulahin Japin said the reduction of the quota to 200 litres has directly impacted the welfare of public healthcare employees.

“Healthcare workers are among critical sectors that have never been given the option to work from home (WFH),” he said, adding that even during the pandemic and other health crises, they remained physically present to ensure the country’s health system continues to function.

He noted that many healthcare workers commute long distances daily, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia and rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak.

“Their monthly fuel consumption usually reaches or exceeds 300 litres. This is not a matter of lifestyle choice, but an unavoidable duty demand,” he said in a statement.

Ajulahin stressed that the government should take into account the operational realities of the healthcare sector before implementing a blanket reduction of the fuel subsidy quota.

He warned that such a move could increase cost-of-living pressures on healthcare workers, who are already facing heavy workloads.

As such, he called on Putrajaya to adopt a fairer, targeted approach, specifically for sectors unable to implement WFH arrangements, and to recognise the contributions and mobility demands of healthcare workers when formulating subsidy policies.

“We wish to emphasise that the welfare of healthcare workers is not just an issue within the sector, but is closely linked to the ability of the national health system to function effectively,” he said.

He added that policies that fail to reflect on-the-ground realities risk undermining the morale and well-being of the healthcare workforce, which would in turn affect efforts to strengthen the national healthcare system.

Mapsu represents more than 120,000 members through 22 unions affiliated with the Ministry of Health.