Asean Summit: SME group backs PM's WFH call to ease congestion
KUALA LUMPUR: The Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Samenta) supports Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call for companies in affected areas to consider allowing employees to work from home in light of the expected congestion during the two-day Asean Summit.
Its president Datuk William Ng welcomed the suggestion as it would help alleviate traffic and crowding near the event venues.
"This will reduce the expected congestion at and around the meeting venue," he told the New Straits Times.
However, Ng said such work-from-home (WFH) arrangements should be implemented voluntarily and tailored to each company's operational needs.
While exact figures on potential participation remain unclear, Ng said that the service, technology and administrative sectors are best suited for flexible work arrangements during this period.
Government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil yesterday said the prime minister had advised companies with offices in areas affected by the upcoming Asean Summit to allow their staff to WFH during the two-day event.
The Public Service Department (PSD) has also issued a circular allowing civil servants facing traffic congestion during the summit to apply for WFH.
Fahmi said schools along major routes to be used by VIPs attending the summit would be allowed to conduct online classes.
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