HR Minister's World Cup advice: Take your leave!

Malaysia's Human Resources Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, believes workers should be allowed to take their annual leave to watch FIFA World Cup matches. “This is so that high levels of productivity can be maintained,” he told The Star. “It is advisable for those who are on normal working hours to apply for leave rather than be caught falling asleep at their workplaces after watching the matches,” he said.

Four years ago during the last World Cup, Dr Fong had said workers should be allowed to enjoy matches rather than to give lame excuses for not coming to work by producing fake medical certificates or being late for work. Dr Fong had also previously suggested factories provide facilities for their workers to watch live telecasts during break time. This, he said, could help foster better relations between employer and employees and would help boost workers’ performance.