IN conjunction with Labour Day, a labour activist has outlined several measures on how the Government could rejuvenate the economy and improve labour standards at the same time, as the world battles COVID-19.
“One thing is for sure; Malaysia needs a new and comprehensive economic plan by taking into consideration the damage COVID-19 has done to our country and the whole world.
“And the plan must include offering better living wages to employees and create new jobs, in line with Industrial Revolution 4.0 and post COVID-19 recovery,” Union Network International-Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC) president Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal told FocusM.
For a start, the veteran unionist said that the Government should start looking at labour unions as partners and valuable assets to establish a smart partnership at workplace.
He added that the Government should also see unions as key partners in nation-building, instead of treating them as hostile forces disrupting the economy.
“We believe that based on the challenges faced over the year, with many employees working remotely and varying jobs requiring differing approach, the relationship between employees and employers will remain complex in the years to come.
“Nevertheless, we cannot dispute the workers’ contribution to our economy and the challenges must be addressed comprehensively,” Shafie added.
With that said, he urged the Government to engage unions and listen to their grouses, in order to find the best solution to address the problems.
Respect the Collective Agreement
“The Prime Minister and the Human Resources Minister must meet union leaders on a fixed schedule to create a harmonious two-way relationship.
As for the employers’ groups, Shafie urged the former to respect the Collective Agreement (CA), instead of using COVID-19 as an excuse to suppress unions and workers.
He alleged that some employers even claimed that they have discretionary powers on all matters, such as workers’ salaries and other perks offered.
“They unilaterally use that argument to halt increments, bonus payouts and others, using COVID-19 as an excuse.
“So, how are we to maintain harmony if employers refuse to respect workers’ rights as stated under the CA? This issue has become very big in the last 16 months and it needs to be resolved soon,” Shafie stressed.
Among others, Shafie also urged the Government to:
- Impose a price control mechanism on essential goods to curb profiteering
- Stop excessive politicking and focus on stemming the pandemic
- Revise the low pensions scheme for staffers at Government-linked companies (GLC)
- Weed out corruption to boost investors’ confidence
- Improve labour laws to meet present day norms and challenges
Shafie added: “We are committed to support the Government during this challenging time, as decreed by Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“However, we also need the Government to address the concerns raised so that every stakeholder can prosper together.” – May 1, 2021
