Fair to all on Friday: Netizens laud Johor’s two-hour break

PETALING JAYA: Many social media users praised the Johor government for fairly implementing the two-hour break on Fridays.

Beginning next year, employers in both the public and private sectors in Johor must provide a two-hour break for their employees on Fridays.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said that this aligns with the state’s weekend change from Friday-Saturday to Saturday-Sunday, effective Jan 1, 2025.

The private sector currently practises a 1 hour 30 minute break time on Friday.

Onn Hafiz expressed confidence that the shift would positively impact the state’s economy without sacrificing the sanctity of the religion, and netizens have taken to social media to agree, with the response to the announcement largely positive.

Facebook user Sumitha Appukutty said “Yes this is fairness. Treating everybody equal.”

The sentiment was echoed by Mirwansah Mohamad, who said that “it’s fair to give (the two-hour break) to every employee.”

The move has also been seen as an indicator of the Johor workforce’s efficiency.

Facebook user Ng Kwong Jee said, “If the efficiency is efficient, it doesn’t matter (even if) they go back 2 hours earlier everyday.”

“We are the most productive state… Friday all happy to have 2 hours lunch. Thank you,” added Foo Chee Kwang.

“Betul2 buat kerja! Terbaik (Actually getting work done! Excellent),” wrote one user who goes by the handle @thevabaskaran on Instagram.

The situation has also been described as a win-win for all. “Good move (for) all working (people),” said Saravana Surya.

However, there were some dissenting sentiments, with some concerned that companies would respond by increasing overall working hours.

“Wrong move. If employees will only return back to office on Friday at 3:30pm, HR will definitely replace the lost hour by extending the working hours on Friday or any other amicable solution to replace the lost hour,” said Luke Halim on Facebook.

There are also concerns that the costs associated with the extended break will be passed on to taxpayers, with Lawrence Seow on Facebook saying the change will be “at the expense of employers and tax payers.”

Despite that, there are many calls for other states to implement the same extended break.

On Instagram, @nanthini_samynathan wrote: “Please apply this (in) other states as well.”

“So good. Not all states?” asked Fen Fang Lem on Facebook.

One user, @ru73n_, even went as far as to tag the official Jabatan Wilayah Persekutuan account on The Star’s Instagram post announcing Johor’s two-hour break.