Are MySTEP officers facing similar leave policy issues?

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MySTEP Officers' Leave Policy Entitlements Mirror Concerns of Other Pregnant Civil Servants

MySTEP officers are indeed experiencing issues related to early leave provisions for pregnant employees, indicating a broader non-compliance with established regulations within the Ministry of Health (MOH). These concerns align with reports affecting other pregnant healthcare workers, highlighting a systemic challenge in adhering to the Public Service Department (PSD) Circular. The Minister of Health has explicitly stated that departmental heads and supervisors must not deviate from these procedures, irrespective of operational constraints.
Non-Compliance Affects Pregnant MySTEP Staff

The Ministry of Health has acknowledged that issues concerning pregnant nurses and MySTEP officers need to be addressed, with specific directives for compliance with existing regulations. This suggests that MySTEP officers, who are part of short-term employment programmes, are not being exempted from the early leave policy and are facing similar challenges in its application as other civil servants. The Minister's statement indicates that these specific groups are included in the broader call for departmental heads to adhere to the established rules.
PSD Circular Outlines Early Leave Entitlements

According to Service Circular No. 11/2017, pregnant female civil servants are entitled to leave one hour earlier than their normal working hours once their pregnancy reaches 22 weeks, or approximately five months, effective January 1, 2018. This policy is intended to provide necessary flexibility for expectant mothers within the public service. The circular serves as the governing document for such entitlements across government departments.
MOH Acknowledges Operational Constraints but Stresses Policy Adherence

Despite acknowledging that MOH healthcare facilities face problems and constraints, the Minister of Health has firmly stated that these difficulties do not justify violating the early leave regulation for pregnant employees. Reports have surfaced indicating that some health clinics and district health offices have not been following this rule, with some allegedly only granting the allowance when pregnancies reach 36 weeks. This discrepancy underscores the need for stricter enforcement and adherence to the PSD Circular by all levels of management within the ministry.

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Are MySTEP officers facing similar leave policy issues?

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