Latest news with #SSPA
The Star
18-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
More issues in public healthcare to tackle
ON July 11, the government announced the exemption of 82,637 healthcare workers from the new 45-hour work week policy under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA). This means critical shift-based roles within the Health Ministry will proceed as usual with the 42-hour work week. The decision is a long overdue recognition of the mental, emotional and physical burden that healthcare workers shoulder every single day. Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App. RM 13.90/month RM 9.73 /month Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. RM 12.39/month RM 8.63 /month Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
The Star
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Union advocates for 42-hour work week for all healthcare workers
KOTA KINABALU: All healthcare workers, including those in complementary sectors and those on shift duties, should also be permitted a 42-hour work week, says the Sabah Medical Services Union (SMSU). SMSU President Ajulahin Japin praised the federal government for abandoning plans to enforce a 45-hour work week for more than 82,000 healthcare workers. He also suggested that this change should be applied to other healthcare industry workers. 'SMSU urges the government to extend this decision to include all other healthcare workers who also work on shift duty, such as pharmacy assistants, ambulance drivers, and other clinical support staff who are similarly affected by shift work demands and heavy workloads,' he said. On July 11, the Public Services Department (PSD) stated that the exemption would involve a total of 82,637 healthcare personnel, comprising nurses, community nurses, medical officers in emergency departments, assistant medical officers and healthcare assistants. This followed opposition after the announcement of the implementation of a 45-hour per week shift work schedule under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which was scheduled to take effect on March 1. An interim moratorium on the 45-hour work week for healthcare staff was extended by three months on March 8.
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Narmada settlements to be brought under respective gram panchayats
The Gujarat government has finalised regulations to merge settlements under the Sardar Sarovar Punarvasvat Agency (SSPA) with the respective gram panchayats. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved the proposal, paving the way for integrating 127 Narmada rehabilitation settlements – housing people displaced by the Sardar Sarovar dam – located across 26 taluks in eight districts with the gram panchayats concerned, officials said on Monday (July 14, 2025). Also read:Chronicle of a tragedy foretold The move is set to benefit settlements in Ahmedabad Rural, Vadodara, Bharuch, Kheda, Panchmahal, Narmada, Chhota Udepur, and Mahisagar districts. Under the approved framework, the gram panchayats will now assume responsibility for key civic infrastructure and services in these settlements, including drinking water, internal and approach roads, streetlights, electricity bills, rainwater drainage, and general maintenance of public amenities. Better access The Department of Panchayat, Rural Housing and Rural Development, which presented the integration work plan, stated that the merger process is expected to be completed within two months. Once merged, residents of the settlements will be able to access welfare schemes through their respective gram panchayats as per existing norms, significantly improving their access to public services, officials said. While the SSPA will retain ownership of unallocated plots in the settlements, all relevant records will be transferred to the gram panchayats. Additionally, schools, anganwadis, and health centres in the settlements will be handed over to the relevant departments, the government said. Voting rights and representation of settlement residents will be ensured in accordance with the existing government provisions. 'The gram panchayats will also be empowered to assess properties and collect applicable taxes and levies under the Gujarat Panchayats Act, 1993,' they said The government has clarified that these rules will serve as the standard for future integration of the remaining SSPA settlements. A formal resolution to this effect has been issued by the Department of Panchayat, Rural Housing and Rural Development under the guidance of Mr. Patel.
Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Govt finalises policy, regulations for merger of Narmada oustees' colonies with gram panchayats
Over a year and a half after announcing the merger of the Narmada vashats (settlements of oustees of the Narmada dam), under the Sardar Sarovar Punarvasat Agency (SSPA), with the nearest village panchayats on November 18, the Gujarat government on Monday said it has finalised the policy and regulations for the merger within the next two months. A statement from the state government on Monday said that Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had approved the procedure by which 127 such settlements would be integrated into the local gram panchayats in the districts of Vadodara, Narmada, Chhota Udepur, Bharuch, Ahmedabad, Kheda, Mahisagar and Panchmahal. The release said that the Gujarat Panchayat, Rural Housing and Rural Development department had launched a process by which the colonies being merged would be provided with basic civic amenities available to other villages under the panchayats, such as drinking water, connecting roads, internal roads, drainage, stormwater drains, and street lights. 'It would be the responsibility of the respective gram panchayats to ensure the availability and maintenance of the civic amenities in these colonies. The release said that CM Patel has decided that the SSPA will continue to retain ownership of the plots in the colonies that have not been allocated. The SSPA, however, will hand over the records of the colonies and transfer of properties, such as anganwadis, schools, health centres, and the government departments located within the colonies, to the respective gram panchayats. Open plots will also be handed over to the gram panchayats to develop public amenities. The gram panchayats will be empowered to collect taxes as per the Gujarat Panchayat Act, 1993, and also ensure the voting rights and representation of the residents of the vasahats in the upcoming elections. The regulations, issued by the Panchayat department, will also apply to the Narmada vasahats that may be merged with the gram panchayats later. On November 18, 2023, the Gujarat government had announced the merger of the vashats with the nearest village panchayats, thus eventual dissolution of the SSPA, the body that the oustees petition their grievances to. Oustees, however, have been protesting against the merger, demanding for a better rehabilitation policy, including a revision of the cut-off date for identifying major sons (heirs who have attained adulthood) for land allotment to January 1, 1994, instead of January 1, 1987, as notified by the Gujarat government.
The Star
13-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Major win for healthcare workers
Keeping 42-hour work week first of many steps forward, says Dzulkefly KUALA LUMPUR: Describing it as a historic breakthrough, the Health Ministry welcomed the 42-hour work week for shift-based healthcare workers as a recognition of their dedication. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic) expressed the ministry's heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the move. He welcomed the decision to maintain the current 42-hour work week for five critical service schemes. 'This reflects recognition for the commitment and perseverance of healthcare personnel who care for patients fighting for their lives every day,' Dzulkefly said in a statement yesterday. The decision, announced by the Public Service Department (PSD), applies to 82,637 healthcare staff under the ministry, sparing them from the previously announced and controversial 45-hour work week proposal. According to PSD, the decision was made after taking into account the concerns raised by healthcare workers regarding the implementation under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA). From last year, The Star ran a series of articles highlighting the Malayan Nurses Union's concerns that the 45-hour work week would worsen fatigue, stress and work-life imbalance among nurses already stretched thin by manpower shortages. Dzulkefly said the move underscores the Madani government's commitment to address the physical, mental and emotional strain faced by healthcare workers. He added that the breakthrough was the result of coordinated efforts between PSD, unions, related associations, and the Health Ministry's Nursing and Human Resource Divisions. Looking ahead, he said the ministry remains focused on pursuing further reforms to strengthen the healthcare system. 'We hope this will be the first of many positive developments for our personnel. I urge all Malaysians to continue honouring the contributions of our healthcare heroes,' he said. The Malaysian Male Nurses Association (MMN) also welcomed the decision, calling it a significant victory for the wellbeing of frontline workers. In a statement, MMN expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, Health Minister, PSD and the ministry's Human Resource division in preserving the current work hours. 'This reflects a strong commitment to the welfare of healthcare workers while ensuring continued quality care for patients. 'This decision proves that the voices of nurses and other healthcare workers are being heard,' the statement read. The association also said the move would allow nurses and other healthcare personnel to continue providing high-quality care in a more balanced and sustainable work environment. 'We hope the decision will enhance patient care, support better work-life balance for healthcare workers and strengthen collaboration to protect their rights and welfare for a more resilient healthcare system. 'MMN remains committed to working with all relevant parties to uphold the wellbeing of healthcare staff and enhance the quality of healthcare services in Malaysia,' it added. In a separate statement, Cuepacs president Datuk Dr Adnan Mat also thanked the government for the announcement, saying that the decision aligns with the Madani spirit, which emphasises the values of empathy, welfare and the wellbeing of both citizens and civil servants. 'Cuepacs believes that retaining the 42-hour work week will not only help safeguard the physical, mental and emotional health of healthcare personnel but will also ensure the quality of public healthcare services remains at its highest standard,' he said. Meanwhile, the guidelines to manage bullying at health facilities will be launched in conjunction with World Mental Health Day this October, added the Health Minister. Dzulkefly said the guidelines would then be distributed to all health facilities to strengthen existing support systems, including MyHelp KKM. 'This reflects the ministry's commitment towards the psychosocial welfare of its workforce,' he said in a statement. On Aug 29 last year, a specialist at Hospital Lahad Datu was found dead in her rented home in the wake of allegations of workplace bullying.
