the blogging syed shahir

WANITA PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT
KELANA JAYA

Dengan segala hormatnya menjemput anda

Ke majlis Hi- Tea Sambutan Hari Ibu bersama

YB. Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail (Presiden KeADILan) dan
YBhg. Pn. Hajjah Fuziah Salleh (Ketua Wanita KeADILan)

 Tarikh : 03hb Jun 2006
 Waktu : 3:30 petang
 Tempat : Kelana Seafood Centre
Lot 1122, SS7, Jalan Perbandaran Kelana Jaya
47301 Petaling Jaya Selangor
 Bayaran : RM 30.00

Anjuran Wanita KeADILan Bahagian Kelana Jaya

Sila jawab sebelum 27hb Mei 2006

RSVP : Aziana Jalil
Email : sukwanita@gmail.com
Alamat : 110-3, Tingkat 3, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 50470
Brickfield, Kuala Lumpur
No Tel : 03-22723220 / 012-7662991
Fax no : 03-22721220

Daripada,

Dr Irene Fernandez
(Ketua Wanita KeADILan Bahagian Kelana Jaya)

1. Sovereignty Over Water Supply

Minister’s Statement:

CAWP alleged that if a service like water supply is provided on a commercial and profit basis it will be subjected to take over by foreign corporations which will have the same rights as local companies. Government not aware of how the World Trade Organisation (WTO) General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS) to which Malaysia is a signatory will impact the industry if the Bill is passed.

KTAK has consulted Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), which has confirmed that Malaysia will not make a liberalisation commitment in the WTO regarding water supply or water services. Thus the water industry will not be subjected to take over by foreign corporations despite there would be pressure for Malaysia to do so.

However, according to MITI the Government is firm that Malaysia would not liberalise the water industry as it is considered a basic utility and should not be opened for international market forces to determine.

MTUC/CAWP’s Response:

a) We welcome the Malaysian government’s commitment not to liberalise the water sector. However, we believe that this intention to be more meaningful should be made into law. In the real politics of WTO
negotiations, trading off the competitive advantage of one country for another is a key feature. Only a legally binding provision can protect the countries sovereignty and natural resources.

b) Developing countries such as Malaysia, very often come under pressure to open up their service sectors, as a ‘trade-off’ for developed countries’ concession in other areas such as agriculture and better market access for industrial goods.

c) Given that Malaysia’s main exports are agriculture (Agreement on Agriculture) and manufacturing products (Non Agricultural Market Access), this ‘trade-off’ can be an extremely powerful tool for
industrialised countries to extract offers in the sectors of their choice.

d) By committing a services sector to liberalisation a WTO Members (such as Malaysia) is legally bound by GATS to provide national treatment and market access to all foreign service suppliers of other Members in that sector. For example, Malaysia has made some commitments in opening its private hospital services. It therefore cannot restrict, for instance, any foreign based medical laboratories from providing electronic diagnostic tests to customers in Malaysia.

e) Furthermore, once a GATS commitment is made, it cannot be withdrawn or modified, unless compensation is given to all Members affected. Therefore, it is important to realise that by making a commitment, a government is effectively “locked” into its schedule, which limits its future policy options. The GATS is essentially about progressive liberalisation.

f) The European Commission has made bilateral and plurilateral requests on environmental services including drinking water and sewerage.

g) The European Commission (EC) in its bilateral requests and offer to Malaysia is entitled: ‘GATS 2000, Request from The EC and its member states to Malaysia’

Water for Human Use and Wastewater management, which includes “Water collection, purification and distribution services through mains. The Mode used is Mode 3, which demands Malaysia to take commitments under Market Access and National Treatment.

At the plurilateral level the EU has requested for sewerage services for liberalisation

MTUC/CAWP’s Recommendation

MTUC/CAWP reiterates that the only manner to ensure that water resources and management remains in the hands of the nation is define the word “person” in the Water Services Industry Bill (WSI) 2006 as
“state party” and “fully owned state corporation”

2. Absence of Consumer Protection Clauses

Minister’s Statement

It is not true that there is an absence of consumer protection clauses in the bill. In fact the ten national policy objectives for the water supply services and sewerage services industry as outlined in the explanatory statement of the Bills clearly encapsulates the intention of the bill. More specifically 7 out of 10 objectives stated in the explanatory statements are on consumer protection i.e. 2(a), (b), (d), (f), (g), (h) and (j).

In addition, there are many clauses that are drafted to promote consumers’ interest covering the following areas. Explanations of the Clauses are in Appendix 1

MTUC/CAWP’s Response:

a) We had argued with the Minister that in making judgments, learned judges would refer to the clauses in the Act rather than the explanatory statement. MTUC/CAWP had requested that the Ministry make the explanatory note, the preamble of the WSI Bill, thereby giving it the effective legal power to ensure the intent of the Bill were achieved should disputes arise.

b) As reflected by the Minister’s answer above, there is no specific clause which guarantees consumers their rights or the highest consumer standards. In fact, consumers are not even guaranteed their right to redress or compensation in these bills.

c) Below we provide the Clauses, which relate to consumer protection to demonstrate how weakly they are worded, rendering them totally ineffective.

WSI Section 33
A service licensee providing water supply services or sewerage services has a general duty to -
(a) deal reasonably with consumers; and
(b) adequately address consumer complaints

This is a very general and fuzzy requirement on the part of the service licensee to consumers.

WSI Section 41
(1) The water distribution licensee shall, when supplying water to any premises, ensure that at the time of supply the quality of water supplied complies with the minimum quality standards as prescribed by
the Minister.

Water Quality - minimum quality standards as prescribed by the Minister. This statement does not ensure that water quality in Malaysia is of the highest standards.

WSI Section 88 and 89
Section 88 (1) Any sum of money in respect of -
(a) water supplied or services rendered in connection with such supply;
or
(b) the provision of sewerage services, shall be payable, within thirty days from the date of presentation of
the bill, to the service licensee and if such sum is not so paid, the sum shall be recoverable by the service licensee through civil action in court.

Section 89 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a water distribution licensee may -

(a) disconnect the supply of water to a consumer by severing the service water pipe or cut off the water supply including the right to reduce the supply of water or pressure of the water supply; and
(b) take such other means as it deems fit and proper.

Provides for automatic disconnection of water supply after 30 days. The Bill does not make it mandatory for the water operators to resolve the matter with the consumer such as sending notices, rescheduling payment, providing for flexible payments, etc.

WSI Section 68
“The Commissioners may develop consumer standards on its own initiative or upon recommendation from the Water Forum…”

There is no guarantee that the highest consumer standards will be developed.

WSI Section 69
(1) The Commission shall designate a body to be know as the “Water Forum” for the purposes of this Act by notifying the body in writing, if the Commission is satisfied that -

(a) the membership of the body is open to all persons;
(b) the body is capable of performing as required under the relevant provisions of this Act; and
(c) the body has a written constitution.

The Water Forum is open to any “relevant persons”. This creates barriers to civil society is setting best practices and highest standards as they will be confronted by the industry players even at the conceptual stage. Water Forum will be weighted in favour of industry.

SPAN Section 15
There is also no explicit statement that among the functions of the Commissioners is to protect the consumer interest.

3. Minister’s Power

Minister’s Statement

There is no absolute power accorded to the Minister because most of the decisions to be made are either based on Cabinet decision or SPANs recommendation. However under circumstances for the purpose of
national interest, prompt decision has to be made. The Minister shall exercise its authority as the Minister in charge of the water services.

For the appointment of the Chairman of SPAN, administratively it is still bound to the Prime Minister’s decision. List of powers accorded to the Minister are listed in Appendix 2.

MTUC/CAWP’s Response:

a) The Minister is the final decision maker in all matters in this legislation;

b) Section 5(1) states that the Minister is to appoint Commissioners. However, the criteria stated (Section 5(1) (c) … have experience and shown capacity and professionalism in matters relating to finance, engineering, business or administration, or to be otherwise suitable for appointment because of their special knowledge and experience. These favours ex - civil servants and industry actors and may discriminate against civil society, especially environmentalists and consumer advocates.

c) Section 11(1) Minister may at any time revokes the appointment of any member of the Commission without assigning any reason for the revocation

d) Section 18(1) The Commission shall be responsible to the Minister There is no language as “the Minister shall give due regards to the recommendation of the Commissioners.” Instead the various clause
which the refer to the Minister’s decision making ability as “may upon the recommendation of the Commission”

The issue of collective responsibility of the Cabinet and referring to the Prime Minister do not apply, as it is matters relating to Executive powers. In relation to powers granted to the Minister through this
legislation, this is the first Bill, which provides far-reaching powers to the Minister with no bounds, safe the powers of the Executive.

4. Lack of an effort to benchmark water quality (CAWP)

Minister’s Statement

Clause 41 on water quality require that the water distribution licensee shall, when supplying water to any premise, ensure that at the time of supply, the quality of water supplied complies with the minimum
standards as prescribed by the Minister. Currently the standard is based on standard set by the Ministry of Health guidelines on water quality (World Health Organisation minimum standard). Failure to comply
commits an offence under the Act.

Commission may, under Clause 68, on its own initiative or upon the recommendation of the Water Forum, prepare or caused to be prepared consumer standards and this may include benchmarking on water quality.

Under Clause 175, the Commission is required to monitor all significant matters relating to water supply and sewerage services industry and report to the Minister at the end of each financial year of the Commission. This shall include the services and performance standards of licensees. The Commission shall publish the report in a manner deems appropriate as soon as practicable following the date on which the Commission conveys the report.

MTUC/CAWP’s Response:

a) Clause 41 gives the power to the Minister to decide on the minimum water quality standard. This can erode existing high water quality standards in Malaysia.

b) The technology used by water treatment operators is of the lowest level treating water only for bacteria and sediments. The current technology (except for Seremban) does not address the toxic waste in
Malaysian rivers. There is no incentive or rewards to force the water operators to increase the water quality.

c) The Minister does not have any power to regulate issues relating water catchments and upstream of water intakes.

5. Infringement on Fundamental Human Rights to Affordable Access of
Water (Query raised by the DAP)

Minister’s Statement

The objective of restructuring the water industry by the government is to ensure affordable and accessibility of water to all citizens. There will be no more privatisation, as the water operators would be given
license to operate. The government has also instructed that all state government are to corporatise their state water authorities. This is to ensure that the water operators are run efficiently even if they are
government owned corporations.

Water is an essential necessity thus the government will ensure the public will have access to continuous supply of clean, treated water.

MTUC/CAWP’s Response

a) The MTUC/CAWP has requested that the phrase “…that water is an entitlement” be inserted into the Bills. The Minister agreed but unfortunately did not deliver on his pledge.

b) The MTUC/CAWP had asked that the word “person” be defined as state parties and state owned corporations be inserted into the interpretation section. This will ensure that water will be managed by the state and/or its agencies.

6. Allowing Market Forces to Decide on Water Supply Unethical and Immoral (Query raised by the DAP)

Minister’s Statement

The water services industry is a strictly regulated service and unlike other services there is no intention of liberalising it by allowing the market forces to decide on water supply to the public. In the new industry structure every service provider in the industry would be licensed.

MTUC/CAWP’s Response

Section 191 provides a list of 15 private companies managing the water supply in Peninsular Malaysia. The government has already liberalised the market as these private companies operate in response to market forces. Water companies such as Puncak Niaga, and Ranhill are listed in the stock market and have to meet financial projections, especially tariff increase for increase in stock value.

7. Failure to Address Environmental Concerns by Protecting Water Sources. (Query raised by the DAP)

Minister’s Statement

This is not true as under Clause 55 of the Water Services Industry Bill if the licensee is of the opinion that the supply of water is unsafe for the purpose of normal supply to the public or poses a health risk
to the public the water distribution licensee shall immediately temporarily cease the supply of water to any premises.

MTUC/CAWP Response

a) Clause 55 allows for the water operators to shut down the treatment plant without compensating the water users or providing the water users with alternative water supply. This will further cause hardship to
water users as they will have to source for water.

b) The Minister does not have any power to regulate issues relating water catchments and upstream of water intakes.

c) Furthermore, the Water Bills do not promote water demand management but continuous to promote meeting water supply needs.

8. Lack of consultation with the Rakyat on Impact of Bills (DAP)

Minister’s Statement

This is not true of the Water Services Industry Bill and the Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara Bill is the first 2 bills that the government has declassified to enable the Ministry to have public consultations with all stakeholders and the public at large. Altogether there been public consultations made before and after the drafting of the 2 Bills. Details of the consultations are as detailed below.

Consultation before and during drafting of Bills 43
Consultation after approval of Cabinet 13

MTUC/CAWP Response

We welcomed the Minister’s mature decision to declassify the Bills. This provides the Ministry with the opportunity to tap into the expertise of the private sector and civil society to scrutinise the Bills thereby further enhancing them. However, after various parties submitted 350 recommendations, only 3 minor changes were made. This is most disappointing especially when both the private sector and civil
society acknowledges that the Bills are seriously flawed.

9. No guarantee of Efficiency, cost and Quality of Water (Query raised by the DAP)

Minister’s Statement

The Bill does not make any provision for privatisation of supply of water. However, with the existence of the national water regulator, this would enable the government to ensure that the water operators
would perform efficiently supplying water at the cost that is affordable and according to the quality determined.

MTUC/CAWP’s Response

a) The Bills allow for the licensing of private companies to manage water services in the country. If it is true that that the Bill does not make any provision for privatisation, why isn’t it unambiguously stated in the Bill.

b) Clause 175 is about the “Reporting to Minister on industry performance.” MTUC/CAWP calls that full disclosure of all information related to industry be made mandatory for public scrutiny. As the
provision of water is a natural monopoly, only through full transparency can benchmarked competition be effective. Furthermore, the Water User Forum shall have full oversight over these industry data.

10. Apparent advantages that will be given to water industry players to dominate the water forum and Commission (Query raised by the DAP)

Minister’s Statement

This is not true as the Commission may decide that an existing body that was previously designated as the Water Forum is no longer an appropriate body for the purpose of the Act if it is not satisfied that the body no longer meets the requirements set out in Clause 69(10) (b) i.e. the body is incapable of performing the functions imposed on it as a Water Forum.

MTUC/CAWP’s Response

The MTUC/CAWP wants the Bills (Clause 69) to make it explicit that the Water Forum is restricted only to water users and civil society. Examples of these groupings are consumer groups, residents associations, environmental groups, human rights groups, farmers’ organisations, associations representing small and medium scale enterprise, etc. No water industry player is allowed in the forum.

Oleh Wan Nordin Wan Yaacob

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Mei (Hrkh) - PAS menggesa kerajaan segera mengemukakan Akta Gaji Minimum di Dewan Rakyat untuk dijadikan sebagai undang-undang yang perlu dilaksanakan, kata Presiden PAS, Dato’ Seri Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang semasa merasmikan Seminar Wacana Hari Pekerja Kebangsaan di Markas PAS Taman Melewar hari ini.

Turut hadir ialah, Naib Presiden PAS, Haji Muhammad Sabu; Presiden MTUC, Syed Shahir Syed Mohammud; aktivis Anuar Tahir, S.Aruttchelvan, Saari Sungip, Ketua Pemuda PAS Wilayah, Ustaz Riduan Mohd Noor dan lebih 200 peserta seminar.

Seminar yang membincangkan soal pekerja dan isu-isu pekerja ini dibuat bersempen sambutan hari pekerja yang disambut 1 Mei lalu.
“PAS tidak teragak-agak menyokong dengan syarat angka gaji minimum yang diputuskan kelak bersesuaian dengan kos sara hidup yang kian meningkat,” tegasnya.

Pihak pemerintah wajib mengambil perhatian terhadap tekanan dan kesengsaraan yang dialami setiap pekerja dalam mencari nafkah hidup lebih-lebih lagi selepas kenaikan harga minyak dan pengswastaan pelbagai perkhidmatan dan bekalan asas, katanya.

Berikutan kesengsaraan itu, golongan pekerja hari ini terpaksa meanjalankan dua atau tiga kerja dalam sehari bagi menampung kos kehidupan yang menghimpit, katanya.

Malangnya, kesengsaraan ini tidak pernah diambil perhatian oleh kerajaan yang hari ini terus mengumpul kekayaan bagi diagihkan kepada kumpulan kroni serta sanak saudara pemimpin negara, katanya.
“Rakyat berjaya disenyapkan oleh kerajaan dengan pelbagai akta yang menghimpit dan media yang dibisukan,”katanya.

Justeru beliau menggesa kerajaan segera memikirkan soal gaji minimum yang perlu diimplimentasikan dalam kadar segara supaya nasib golongan pekerja terbela diketika mereka terhimpit hari ini, katanya.

Selain itu beliau juga menyeru kestuan sekerja dan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan terus memainkan peranan mereka untuk memperjuang nasib dan hak pekerja, katanya. Meskipun kesedaran rakyat terhadap isu pekerja dan penindasan pekerja masih kurang, tetapi ianya perlu dimobilisasikan untuk kebangkitan rakyat, katanya.

Menyokong pendapat itu Mohammad Sabu dalam ucapannya turut mahu semua kesatuan sekerja bangkit lebih berani untuk memperjuang hak mereka.

Baginya, kebangkitan perlu supaya kesengsaraan golongan pekerja hari ini yang ditindas dengan pelbagai akta, kezaliman majikan dan sikap tidak endah kerajaan akan menjadi agenda kebangkitan rakyat, katanya.

Sementara itu Syed Shahir turut menyokong kenyataan Abdul Hadi supaya kerajaan segera memastikan akta gaji minimum digubal seterusnya dijalankan, katanya.

Sehingga hari ini, masih ada sektor pekerjaan yang upahnya hanya sekitar RM400 hingga RM600 sebulan.

Oleh Khairul Azlam Mohmad

KUALA TERENGGANU, 3 Mei (Hrkh) - Presiden Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC), Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud berkata, perbandingan harga minyak yang dibuat oleh kerajaan bagi menghalalkan cara kenaikan harga 30 sen satu liter pada 28 Februari lalu adalah tidak tepat.

Katanya, kerajaan membandingkan harga minyak negara dengan beberapa buah negara luar kononya lebih tinggi daripada Malaysia sekadar helah politik.
“Kerajaan bandingkan harga minyak kita dengan beberapa harga minyak di negara lain di dunia seperti Venezuela, Mesir, Algeria, Brunei, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Singapura, Indonesia dan sampai kepada United Kindom, England.
Kerajaan bandingkan harga minyak kita dengan negara luar. Saya hendak beritahu di England harga seliter petrol RM5.97 tetapi dia (kerajaan) lupa gaji seorang pembersih atau tukang sapu di England ialah RM253 sehari bukan sebulan,” katanya ketika berucap sebagai ahli panel Forum Penjelasan Isu Kenaikan Harga Minyak, di Pekan Manir, kelmarin.
Begitu juga, katanya di Australia, satu liter petrol RM3.06 tetapi gaji pekerjanya adalah RM1,500.

Menurut Syed Shahir lagi kenaikan harga minyak dalam negara ini bagi tempoh 21 bulan sebanyak 102 peratus bagi petrol dan 152 peratus bagi diesel.

“Harga petrol kita naik daripada RM1.62 kepada RM1.92 seliterbagi gred RON97 iaitu naik 18.5 peratus dalam tempoh tujuh bulan, harga diesel naik 30 sen atau 23.4 peratus dari RM1.281 kepada RM1.581 seliter dan turut naik harga gas petroleum cecair (LPG) daripada RM1.45 kepada RM1.75 sekilogram,” jelasnya.

Soalnya, bagaimana dengan gaji pekerja, adakah kerajaan menaikkan sebanyak 102 peratus juga dalam masa 21 bulan.
“Ini mimpi dan saya tidak fikir kita boleh dapat dalam negara kita Malaysia yang dikatakan mewah dan makmur ini,” ujarnya.

Oleh Roy Rasul

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 Mei (Hrkh) - Presiden Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC), Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud berkata, kerajaan sebagai majikan terbesar di negara ini sewajarnya menjadi contoh dengan menaikkan gaji pekerja bawahan ataupun golongan sokongan.

Katanya, ini disebabkan sebahagian besar gaji pekerja bawahan di sektor awam kurang RM690 sebulan.
“Mungkin kerajaan boleh memulakannya sebagaimana cadangan MTUC supaya gaji minimum pekerja peringkat bawahan RM900 sebulan,” katanya dalam satu sidang media sempena sambutan Hari Pekerja di Dataran Merdeka di sini pada malam 30 April lalu.

Katanya, tidak ada perubahan besar pada pekerja dan masalah yang dihadapi mereka masih sama seperti masa lalu.
Sehubungan itu juga katanya, tema Hari Pekerja oleh MTUC tetap sama dengan tahun lepas iaitu ‘Globalisasi Menghakis Hak Pekerja’.

“Sebenarnya kita mengharapkan ada perubahan yang boleh memberi manfaat dan faedah yang baik untuk pekerja sama ada di sektor awam mahupun swasta,” katanya.

Beliau berkata jika ini dapat dilakukan oleh kerajaan maka ia akan menjadi contoh kepada sektor lain di Malaysia terutamanya swasta.

Tekanan hidup di kalangan pekerja dan keluarga mereka juga katanya, besar dan hebat khasnya bagi berpendapatan tetap tetapi kecil di mana golongan ini tidak ada pilihan lain kecuali menerima gaji yang sedikit setiap bulan.

“Kerana itu sekarang ini pekerja di negara ini banyak melakukan dua pekerjaan sehari bagi menampung kehidupan lebih-lebih lagi sejak kenaikan harga bahan bakar,” katanya.

Malah katanya, MTUC juga bimbang terhadap masalah sumber luaran atau ‘out sourcing’ yang mengambil pekerja secara kontrak dan sebagainya.

“MTUC prihatin perkara ini kerana sekarang ini banyak syarikat yang mengambil pekerja secara kontrak dan ini menimbulkan rasa tidak yakin apakah mereka mempunyai pekerjaan pada esok hari dan seterusnya,” katanya.
Menurutnya masalah tersebut seolah-olah satu ‘trend’ yakni bukan di Malaysia bahkan di banyak tempat di dunia sedangkan ia boleh menjejaskan kehidupan pekerja.

Ini katanya hak pekerja adalah mendapat pendapatan yang musabah, mendapat jaminan pekerjaan, mendapat jaminan kebajikan sosial itu merupakan hak-hak asasi pekerja.

Oleh sebab itu katanya, MTUC meminta kerajaan memberi ruang kepada pekerja mengadakan dialog untuk kebaikan bersama.

Tambahan pula katanya, pembentangan Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9) antaranya memperkatakan merapatkan jurang pendapatan kemiskinan yang semakin melebar dengan yang kaya.

“Sebenarnya kita menyokong ikhtiar dan iltizam itu tetapi apakah ia dapat dilaksanakan seperti mana yang dikatakan dalam RMK-9 itu,” katanya lagi sambil memberitahu bahawa dalam RMK-9 dan kenaikan harga minyak, MTUC tidak diajak berunding oleh kerajaan

Sementara itu hampir 1,000 pekerja yang mewakili pelbagai kesatuan dalam MTUC hadir dalam sambutan Hari Pekerja anjuran MTUC itu.

Selain ucapan Presiden MTUC, program tersebut yang bermula kira-kira jam 8.30 malam turut diisi dengan beberapa persembahan antaranya, dikir barat, pentomin dan persembahan sajak.

Perhimpunan tersebut diakhiri dengan bacaan deklarasi Hari Pekerja yang dibaca sebaik saja jam 12.01 tengah malam 1 Mei.

Pada tahun ini, kaum pekerja ditekankan lagi dengan menaikkan harga minyak sebanyak 30sen seliter. Kenaikkan tersebut merupakan kadar kenaikkan tertinggi dalam sejarah Malaysia sudah pasti menghiris dan membelah kalbu rakyat lantaran kos besar yang terpaksa ditanggung oleh mereka.

Kerajaan telah pun membuat keputusan dan pengumuman. Sebagaimana hak yang ada pada kerajaan untuk berbuat demikian, kaum pekerja juga memiliki hak menerima atau membantah kenaikkan tersebut.
Kenaikan yang tertinggi pernah berlaku itu secara tidak langsung menaikkan kos pennghidupan. Namun, gaji pula masih di tokok lama.

Tambah membebankan golongan pekerja ialah kesan globalisasi yang memberi impak mendalam terhadap teknologi dan kemahiran, idea dan nilai-nilai yang merentas sempadan.

Sebagai pekerja, seseorang itu tidak patut menjadikan diri mereka sebagai alat kepada pengeluaran. Dengan arus globalisasi ini, martabat pekerja perlu didongakkan; sekurang-kurangnya harus dikekalkan. Kaum pekerja tidak patut membenarkan sekali-kali unsur-unsur imperalis ini mengganggu domba martabat tersebut yang menjadi hak kepada usaha-usaha yang menjadi tunjang kepada produktiviti negara.

Dalam usaha tersebut, apa yang kita perjuangkan dalam platform pekerja ialah gaji minima yang harus diterima oleh setiap individu yang bergelar pekerja. Dalam pemerhatian-pemerhatian kes-kes yang berlaku, kaum pekerja dalam pelbagai industri sering mengeluh tidak mendapat imbuhan yang setimpal dengan kerja yang dijalankan.

Kerja-kerja tersebut tidak lagi dilihat dari aspek tahap bahaya kerja yang dijalankan, Apa yang penting bagi mereka ialah untuk mendapat gaji bagi menampung kos sarahidup keluarga. Oleh yang demikian, mereka terpaksa mengabaikan waktu-waktu kualiti yang sepatutnya diperuntukkan untuk keluarga mereka.

Bagi saya, jaring keselamatan sosial (social safety net) perlu dituntu oleh setiap individu yang bergelar pekerja bagi mempastikan penghidupan para pekerja masa hadapan terjamin terutama sekali apabila mereka mencecah usia emas.
Mungkin ada yang berpendapat bahawa perjuangan gaji minima ini tidak perlu diselamatkan dalam dunia yang sudah bersifa sejagat (globalised) hari ini. Namun, saya berpendapat bahawa pandangan yang sedemikian itu merupakan pandangan yang amat naïf, baik sehubungan dengan negara-bangsa maupun sehubungan dengan dunia yang bersifat sejagat itu.

Selain itu, pelbagai cabaran perlu diatasi apabila berhadapan dengan kerajaan mahupun majikan. Sungguhpun Artikel 10 (Kebebasan Berpersatuan) memberi peruntukkan kepada setiap warganegara untuk menjadi ahli kepada persatuan, ianya tidak semudah yang disangkakan.

Kaum pekerja yang berhasrat untuk menubuhkan kesatuan di organisasi mereka terpaksa berjuang, bersengkang mata dan berbincang dalam suasana yang hangat hanya untuk menengakkan hak mereka menubuhkan kesatuan.

Pekerja-pekerja dalam industri elektronik terpaksa menunggu berpuluh tahun untuk mendapatkan kelulusan daripada pihak bertanggungjawab.

Keadaan ini berlaku dalam masa ini, selepas Malaysia merdeka hampir 50 tahun bukannya satu yang berlaku di zaman kuno.

EQUITABLE JUSTICE THROUGH DECENT MINIMUM WAGE AND ACCESS TO SERVICES WILL ERADICATE POVERTY.
Party Keadilan Rakyat wishes and thanks all workers today as we commemorate the struggles, victories and gains made by the workers and the labor movement. Malaysia has grown from a tiger economy to being more boisterous, not just from capital but form the sweat and hard work of our labor force.
Nearly one billion workers around the world, or 30 percent of the global work force, are unemployed or under-employed, according to the 2005 report by the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO). In addition, of the more than 2.8 billion workers in the world, 1.4 billion still did not earn enough to lift themselves and their families above the US$2 a day poverty line – just as many as 10 years ago.
The economic growth globally does not seem to be adequately addressing global employment needs. This is holding back poverty reduction in many countries. The Director-General of ILO (International Labor organization ), Juan Somavia says, “We are facing a global jobs crisis of mammoth proportions, and a deficit in decent work that isn’t going to go away by itself. We need new policies and practices to address these issues. At the other end of the economic spectrum, a privileged elite is concentrating ever greater wealth into its hands. According to the ILO, the richest 20 percent of the world’s population.has access to 85 percent of global income”

When we come closer home, to Malaysia we see the same trend emerging. In the Asian region, Malaysia still holds the highest disparity in income. And the gap seem to expand as more and more Malaysians become unemployed or underemployed.

In Malaysia 75% of Malaysian households are earning below RM3, 000 per month and about 25% are earning less than RM1, 000 a month (Source: Eighth Malaysia Plan). How would these 75% Malaysian enjoy a decent living condition and sufficient purchasing power, if all the basic facilities (housing, medical, education, water and electricity) are privatised to profit orientated companies? With all the consumer items increases in price and decline in real wages has made life tougher to more than 2 million workers (Source: MTUC) in Malaysia who receive a monthly income of less than RM600 a month.

A study of wage scales in 165 companies carried out by MTUC in 2005 showed that even in major towns such as Penang, Ipoh, Shah Alam and Johore Bahru, unskilled general workers are paid as low as RM300 to RM350 per month. The Union representing Felda Trading employees in Kuala Lumpur reported that their minimum wage is RM273.00. Overall, the study shows that 46.2% of the company’s involved are paying a minimum wage below RM400 per month, and only 15.4% of the companies pay more than RM500.

Nowhere is the struggle for a minimum wage more pressing than in Malaysia’s rubber and oil palm plantations. For decades, estate workers have been paid wages based on the number of days worked, the market price of commodities, harvested quantity, and other factors beyond their control

In the urban centers, due to depressed wages, below the poverty line, workers live in a subsistence level of raising a family and the idea of owning a house as a dream.

And undoubtedly, the quality of life of the workers will further detoriate due to the 40% increase in petrol price, and due to the privatization of essential services like water and health. The future is dim with the government not recognizing the need to uphold and protect fundamental labor rights of the workers. Union busting is ongoing and workers who try to form unions get dismissed from their work. The right o association is not upheld as employers have not been taken to task for non recognition of unions.

According to the Prime Minister, in his speech in Parliament when the 9th. Malaysia Plan was launched, he said, “Every year, about 220,000 people join the labour force. 44,000 of them will possess tertiary qualifications. Therefore the government is challenged to provide employment opportunities to this group.” Yet we know that there are more than 180,000 unemployed graduates.

Malaysians are not taking up the 3D jobs as the wages are extremely low with little protection and security of employment at work. Employers can avail themselves of foreign workers who remain temporary and contractual, they are given very low wages. Quite often employers who do not pay the wages, get away from the violation because the work permit is cancelled and the worker being made illegal, has to return to his country. Thus thousands of migrant workers remain in a bonded form of employment with no respect for their rights

Though the Prime Minister stated that there is a critical challenge to address the attitude of local workers who are unwilling to accept low-level employment positions, yet the problem is not attitude but the lack of a national labor policy that guarantees a decent minimum living wage and security of employment with better benefits; upgrading of skills and mobility of work; increasing the capacity to own a house and clear social security benefits. It must be recognized that it is the unequal treatment, non recognition of rights and discriminatory policies that has increased the reliance for foreign workers.

In Chapter 3 Art, 43, of the 9th Malaysian Plan states: “ The most precious assets of a nation are its people. The development of human capital, the upgrading of the mentality and intellectual capacity of a nation is one of the biggest challenges under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. If we wish to become a knowledge-based economy, if we wish to be a developed country and maintain that developed status, the development of human capital must be a priority. In the context of globalisation, high quality human capital has become a necessity, not merely a luxury.

The human capital concept in fact places the worker as a commodity for increased productivity and not a partner in the nations growth. Will depressed wages and a very deregulated labor force bring about economic growth and distributive justice for all? Or will this form of thrust lead to the increase in poverty, unemployment and disparity among our people?

According to a recent research conducted by ILO, there was no negative effect on employment by moderate increases in the minimum wage. The ILO study on a multi-country statistical analysis of the effect of minimum wages on poverty, employment, and in-formalisation in developing countries also shows that the level of the minimum wage has an insignificant effect on the level of employment. In fact, the research proved that with the implementation of higher minimum wage, the national level of poverty has decreased in Latin American countries. If Indonesia, the Phillipines, Thailand and East Timor have passed legislations on minimum wage, why can’t we? The Malaysian government’s emphasis that performance based wage system is more applicable in welcoming globalisation compared to a minimum wage system, once again raises doubt to the public whether Minimum Wage Act discourages investors and thus deteriorates employment opportunities and increases poverty level! Such an argument no longer holds water.

The government must recognize the contribution made by the workers. The wealth accumulated by the nation must be more equitably shared. And the rights of workers cannot be compromised. Therefore all efforts must be made to ensure that the basic needs of the workers are met; there is equal treatment for all workers; and the rights of workers protected. Workers are not a commodity but citizens and human persons with dignity. Job security and decent work conditions and wages cannot be an after thought in the development of our nation.

Towards this end, poverty eradication can only be achieved with a decent minimum wage employment structure, with increase in wages in relation to inflation and consumer price index, reduction of taxes and accessibility to basic services like water and health.

Party Keadilan Rakyat will continue to strive to ensure justice is done to our workers. The Party will voice out the violations of rights and deregulating laws and mechanisms in protecting the said rights. It will work together with various labor unions, organizations, institutions, labor rights groups to ensure that the principles of democracy especially the right to association and collective bargaining are upheld.

Released by:

Dr Irene Fernandez
Head of Labor Bureau
People’s Justice Party

By Andrew Ong and Kuek Ser Kuang Keng
May 1, 06 6:37pm

Approximately 2,000 workers took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur today keeping to the tradition of Labour Day celebrations, the 120th held world wide.

Organised by a coalition of groups called the May Day Committee, the march began at the symbolic Dataran Merdeka at 10am. The march is the 13th of its kind ever held.

After criss-crossing through the city centre, the crowd later regrouped at the KLCC park, against the backdrop of Malaysia’s economic symbol - Petronas Twin Towers.

This year’s event was themed, “Workers against privatisation of water and hospitals”. The event was peaceful, but had a noisy carnival-like atmosphere, as pro-worker slogans were frequently chanted.

Police presence was minimal throughout the proceedings, although riot police and a water canon truck was stationed not far away from the area. No untoward incidents were reported.

Fuel hike

V Nathan (left), who represented factory workers said that while fuel prices had gone up several times in recent months, the wages and bonuses received by workers remained the same.

“Some factories even used the fuel price hike to justify their decision to terminate the workers’ annual increment,” said Nathan’s in his emotionally charged speech.

While thanking yet-to-be-registered Parti Socialis Malaysia (PSM) for their contributions to farmers plight, Ipoh-based farmer Lai Ah Lek (right) urged other workers to struggle in upholding their rights.

“I was forcefully evicted from my farm land when the government wanted the land for development. I decided not to move, but stay and struggle for my rights,” he told the crowd, and was met with cries of solidarity.

Peaceful march

When approached by malaysiakini, Prema, a first time participant said she was perturbed by the ever increasing price of essential goods, and wants to voice her concerns to the government.

When asked, Prema said she was not afraid of the police over looking the proceedings.

“I’m not doing anything wrong, why should I be afraid?” she said with a smile.

The police allegedly used excessive means to disperse the crowd during a similar Labour Day march last year.

Speaking to reporters later, PSM pro tem secretary-general S Arutchelvan said that a permit for the gathering had been issued by the Dang Wangi district police station.

“They didn’t agree to us having the march, but we argued that it was traditional to do so. Again, we have shown today that we can hold a march peacefully,” said Arutchelvan, who is also a member of the organising committee.

Declaration

Asked why no politicians were invited to address the crowd, he said that the organising committee had been consistent with such a policy over the years.

“Labour Day is the time when the politicians have to listen to what the workers have to say,” he added.

The gathering ended with the crowd reading their Labour Day declaration en masse, which among others, sought for preservation of Orang Asli rights, the tabling of the Minimum Wage Act, laws for the automatic formation of unions and equal rights for migrant workers.

The declaration was endorsed by 72 groups nationwide including opposition parties, student, religious, women’s rights, consumer and human rights groups.

The May Day committee itself is made up of labour rights group Jerit, opposition groups PSM and Parti Rakyat Malaysia, Food not Bombs, student group Dema, Community Development Centre, Alaigal, Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall and human rights group Suaram.

Four held

Meanwhile, in Seremban, four individuals were arrested during a Labour Day gathering there today, said Suaram in a statement this evening.

Its executive director Yap Swee Seng said the four were Keadilan deputy information chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin and three others, Ramlan Roes, Amirudin Wahab and N Azizi.

“The Kuala Lumpur May Day rally today, which was participated by about 1,000 people, was allowed by the police and had proceeded peacefully. Suaram sees no reason why the police should stop the peaceful gathering in Seremban and arrest the four persons,” said Yap.

He called on the police to release the four immediately adding it would be ‘another abuse of power if the police decide to keep them overnight in the police lock-up or remand them tomorrow’.

Seremban police chief Hasanuddin Hassan could not be reached for comment.