PUTRAJAYA: A comprehensive discussion will be held with the concession companies hired at government hospitals to address the plight of contract cleaners, says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

       He said the ministry would ensure the welfare of the workers as they play an important role in handling the pandemic.

       “We should not underestimate their contribution towards the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “They are also a part of the frontliners that have been helping the country manage the spread of the virus,” he said after receiving a memorandum on the demands of the National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services (Nuhwas) handed by its president Rozah Mohd Hashim here on Tuesday (Feb 8).

       Nuhwas had demanded the abolition of the contract system, civil servants to be re-absorbed of civil servants and the payment of a Covid-19 allowance to all government hospital workers.

       Rozah said that Nuhwas was happy that it finally handed over the memorandum to Khairy.

       “As we understand the current situation of the pandemic has yet to subside, we are giving ample time to the ministry to work on our proposal,” she said.