the blogging syed shahir

NST

PETALING JAYA: The government will set up wage councils to determine fair wages for sectors where workers are lowly paid, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said yesterday.
So far, seven councils have been set up to look into the wages of some 1.2 million workers.

They are for private security guards in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak; private clinic assistants in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah; and casual farm workers in Sabah and Sarawak.

Fong said the cabinet recently approved the commissioning of an enquiry for hotel workers.

“This means that a council will be set up within six months to look into their wages,” he said after meeting with Malaysian Trades Union Congress leaders yesterday.
He said the government supported the payment of fair wages and that was why it had agreed to the setting-up of the wage councils.

“The government will not hesitate to set up such councils in sectors in which there is no market mechanism to determine the minimum wage for workers or unions to represent them.”

The MTUC is asking for a minimum salary of RM900 a month for workers in the private sector. It is also seeking a cost of living allowance of RM300 a month.

It has threatened to hold a nationwide picket on Monday if there was no response from the government.

Fong said he had explained to the MTUC leaders that the government was already adopting this approach of fixing a fair minimum wage for workers through the wage councils.

“We are prepared to work with the MTUC to identify the sectors in which need such a mechanism.”

He said the plantation sector union had succeeded, through a collective agreement with the Malaysian Agricultural Producers Association, in getting minimum wage for estate workers.

Similarly, he added, the government’s efforts in 1981 to introduce a minimum wage of RM700 for stevedores also succeeded, but the rate was no longer used by the industry as market forces had led to higher salaries.

Asked if the MTUC had agreed to call off Monday’s picket, Fong said this was up to them since the ministry had agreed to a mechanism to look after the welfare of workers.

He said it was difficult to have a minimum wage for all private sector workers as it involved various category of jobs.

MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud and secretary-general G. Rajasekaran could not be reached for comments.

By SEAN YOONG (Associated Press)

20 Jun – Malaysia’s largest labor organization threatened to launch protests and strikes unless the government introduces a minimum wage and special allowances for low-salary workers in the private sector.

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress estimates that 40 percent of Malaysia’s nearly 10 million private sector employees earn less than 700 ringgit ($200) a month, mostly working at plantations or factories, said MTUC President Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud.

“We call on the government to give a response that will improve the plight of workers,” Syed Shahir told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

He said the MTUC wants the government to force employers to pay a minimum monthly wage of 900 ringgit ($258) and an additional 300 ringgit ($85) as a “cost of living allowance,” a benefit currently reserved for public sector workers.

The labor coalition, which has more than 500,000 members from the private and public sectors, will hold pickets in major cities Monday and call for an unprecedented one-day nationwide strike later if the government refuses to negotiate, Syed Shahir said.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last month announced a hefty pay rise for Malaysia’s 1 million government employees, their first such raise in 15 years.

Depending on their rank, civil servants’ wages will rise by 7.5 percent to 35 percent, while police and military personnel will get an increase of as much as 42 percent, starting July 1. Their cost of living allowance will rise by 100 percent.

However, the government has suggested the MTUC’s demands for the private sector might be too much.

“We have certain considerations that we have to bear in mind,” Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak was quoted as saying by the national news agency, Bernama, on Tuesday. “There are far-reaching consequences of a minimum wage.”

According to the MTUC, plantation workers rank among the worst paid, with some earning monthly salaries of less than 400 ringgit ($115).

Other low earners include hotel cleaners and waiters, whose basic pay is as little as 290 ringgit ($82) a month, even at five-star establishments in Kuala Lumpur, the MTUC says.

“Millions of private sector workers can barely cope with the rising cost of living, which includes high fuel prices and basic necessities,” Syed Shahir said. “There is a sense that they are being neglected compared to the civil service workers.”

Those at the bottom rung in the civil service will earn 650 ringgit ($190) per month starting in July.

The Star, 19 June 2007

PUTRAJAYA: The Government hopes the MTUC will not go ahead with its plans to picket if its request for a minimum wage for the private sector is not met.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak asked the congress to discuss the matter further with the Government before making any move.

“We have certain considerations and we have to bear in mind that a minimum wage has far-reaching consequences,” he said.

Stating that the Government had not adopted the minimum wage policy in the country, Najib said industries could decide on the acceptable wage level.

MTUC is seeking legislation to fix a minimum wage of RM900 as well as cost of living allowance (Cola) of RM300 for private sector employees.

On Monday, it presented a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office, giving the Government a one-week ultimatum to respond.

Failing this, the MTUC threatened to stage pickets in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Bangi, Shah Alam, Klang, Johor, Kuching and Penang next Monday between 5pm and 6.30pm.

MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said the congress had to act as it was a long-standing issue and that the matter had been brought up with the Government since 1998.

NST

PUTRAJAYA, Tues, 19 June: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress has threatened to hold a nationwide picket on Monday if the government fails to respond to its demand that the minimum wage for private sector employees be fixed at RM900 a month.
It is also seeking a RM300 cost of living allowance.

MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said the pickets would be called off if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi responded.

“We have identified the places where they would be held,” he said before handing over a seven-page memorandum on the matter to the prime minister’s senior private secretary, Ahmad Yaacob, at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.

About 1,000 MTUC members, including secretary-general G. Rajasekaran, were present as a show of support.
Syed Shahir said the pickets would be held simultaneously in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Bangi, Shah Alam, Klang, Johor Baru, Kuching and Penang from 5pm to 6.30pm.

On whether holding pickets would help their cause, he said the congress had to act as it was a long-standing issue. An MTUC study showed about four million of the 10 million private sector employees were earning below the poverty level.

“They remain poorly paid and denied the basic necessities of life. The majority of them are unskilled workers while the wages of those represented by trade unions are not that far better.

“The minimum wage demand makes more sense now after the government announced a pay hike for civil servants recently.”

Basic wages of plantation workers remained below RM400 per month while collective agreements in the non-metallic mineral products industry provided wages between RM400 and RM550.

“Even in Johor Baru, where the cost of living is high, industrial workers are paid as low as RM390. Five-star hotels in Kuala Lumpur are paying a basic wage of RM290 per month to cleaners and waiters.”

Syed Shahir said there was no justification to delay the implementation of a minimum wage as it would attract more locals and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign labour.

He said the absence of any provision on minimum wage in the Employment Act had led to exploitation of workers.

MEMORANDUM TO YAB DATUK SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI PERDANA MENTERI MALAYSIAON MINIMUM WAGE RM900 AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE RM300

The workers’ contribution to the country’s economic growth and national development as well as their cooperation in maintaining industrial peace have received government’s recognition and appreciation. Yet, a significant proportion of the wage earners in the country remain poorly paid and denied of basic necessities of life. The vast majority of these workers are unskilled and remain outside the coverage of trade union membership. Wages of those represented by trade unions are no better.
Despite huge profits, basic wages of plantation workers throughout the country remain below RM400 per month. Textile and garment workers represented by trade unions are
paid:-

- Kangar, Kulai - RM366
- Kluang - RM353
- Labis, Segamat, Tangkak, Jementah - RM332
- Johor Bahru - RM286 to 450
- Bayan Lepas FTZ
- Prai FTZ - RM364 to 426

Collective agreements in the Non-Metallic Mineral Products Industry has established minimum wages between RM400 to RM550 per month. Even in Johore Bahru where cost of living is extremely high, industrial workers are paid as low as RM390 and the better

Fighting poverty
Establishing a minimum wage may positively affect employment and industrial peace and is a means of fighting poverty. States have a major role to play in this and certain conditions have to be met. One of them is social dialogue.
ILO -2002

paid do not exceed RM600. Even five star rated hotels in Kuala Lumpur pay a basic wage of RM290 per month to cleaners and waiters.

Government has repeatedly dismissed MTUC’s persistent demand for a minimum wage legislation by merely stating that market forces and demand and supply will determine the minimum wage rates and employers who fail to pay a fair wage rate will not be able to attract sufficient workers to meet their requirement.

Unfortunately Government, while rejecting MTUC’s call for a minimum wage legislation has intervened and flooded the country with millions of migrant workers, with low wages and poor working conditions. MTUC sees government’s action as a deliberate attempt to suppress wages.

MTUC sees the recent record 35% salary increase and a 100% increase in the cost of living allowance for public sector employees, as a significant first step taken by theb Government to ensure that workers, especially those in the low wage categories are assured of a decent living. Reports on reaction from public sector employees and their families on the positive impact on their living standards show’s that the record pay rise is justified. It is interesting to note that even the stock market has responded positively.

In the past Government cited the globalization process and the need to remain competitive as a major reason to keep wage levels low. There is no justification for the government to further delay the passing of minimum wage legislation to be applicable to all workers. By enforcing a decent minimum wage, government will be able to attract more Malaysian workers and reduce dependency on foreign labour.

Fundamental ingredients
There is an undeniable correlation between insecurity on the one hand, and the quantity and quality of work that is “available” and within the reach of the majorities on the other. Less work means lower labour costs and less spending on
social protection, but also fewer consumers. Who will consume the national or international products of this or any other globalization? Who will have the capacity to save and hence foster future financing and development? How will people resist
the fast-yielding criminal economy, when all the other forms of economic activity do not manage to satisfy even the basic necessities?
ILO – On Social Protection

MTUC’S PROPOSAL FOR A MINIMUM WAGE OF RM900
Although RM900 minimum monthly wage was based on a study carried out on the cost of living in early 2000, MTUC General Council decided to maintain the proposal.

Currently the Employment Act which sets minimum conditions on annual leave, sick leave, public holidays, working hours and a few other terms and conditions is silent on the basic and most essential issue of wages. Absence of a specific provision on wages has led to widespread exploitation. The Employment Act 1955 should be amended to
stipulate a minimum wage of RM900.

Minimum Living Wage
Minimum wages constitute an integral and a very important element of the trade union movement’s holistic approach towards creating, sustaining and improving the quality of live of our workers.

MTUC’s proposal is based on the essential and basic needs of a single person:

Decent work as a productive factor
Probably the clearest link between social efficiency and productivity is found at the firm level. Enterprises have been showing that what makes work decent can also pay economic dividends. A substantial body of research shows positive effects of wages on productivity. Social dialogue in the workplace is a source of increased commitment and worker productivity. Various enterprise-level studies show the positive influence of profit – sharing, job quality and worker participation in
decision making on worker attitudes, motivation and productivity. Management models developed in the retail sector in the United States, for instance, suggested that improvements in employee job satisfaction and commitment were the key to
increases in customer satisfaction, and applying the model led to substantial
increases in sales.
ILO – Reducing The Decent Work Deficit

We do not believe that any reasonable person will dispute a worker’s right to the most basic elements listed.

Government intervention is necessary in order to sustain the living standards of low paid workers. The minimum wage represents a basic requirement and a good way of improving the standard of living of the low paid and their families. The minimum wage is, furthermore, a way of protecting vulnerable workers who are often subjected to
exploitation. It is also a means of redistributing income.

From the employer’s point of view, paying a minimum wage may increase productivity in three main ways: by minimizing shirking, reducing labour turnover and contributing to social peace. Firstly, the minimum wage is a way of raising
productivity by motivating workers. Secondly, uniform wages, such as the minimum wage, contribute to reducing labour turnover, which can be very costly for firms.

Thirdly, the minimum wage strengthens social cohesion and is a way for employers to ensure social peace by avoiding conflicts.

ILO – Fighting Poverty
For governments, a major purpose of the minimum wage is certainly to contribute to alleviating poverty. The minimum wage can act as a social safety net in countries where social security is as yet little developed. Governments have also used the
minimum wage to redistribute income in society, to promote productive employment and to enhance demand driven growth. In developing countries, the minimum wage is often at the core of social dialogue. Removing it may amount to seriously damaging the quality of social dialogue.
ILO – Fighting Poverty

Poverty led to Kampung Medan clashes.
We wish to draw the attention of YAB Perdana Menteri to a recently published report on a study carried out by University Utara Malaysia on the cause of Kampung Medan clashes in March 2001.

Please see NST dated 14th May 2007

Majority of the Kg Medan families are wage earners working as production workers in factories in Petaling Jaya, Sungei Way, Subang and Shah Alam. 25% of Malays and 45% of Indians who participated in the survey said they had to compromise on lower quality foods, owing to high cost of food. 22% of the children said they had to go school without breakfast, 43% said they had to go into debt to pay for basic living.

RM300 COLA FOR PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYEES
Following the highest increase in price of petroleum products last year, Government paid out RM150 COLA for public sector employees from January 2006. Unfortunately majority of the employers in the private sector refused to consider any form of relief.

Since then cost of daily needs, especially food and food items has increased by more than 30%. Government can only impose limit on controlled items. Traders fix the price of vegetables, fish, food and others according to their cost and profit requirement.

Government despite being aware of their limitations, continue to mislead the public, stating that action will be taken against traders who raise prices. MTUC believes that Government must have carried out a careful and indepth study on
the cost of living and its implications on wage earners before its decision to pay a cost of living allowance of RM300 to public sector employees.

There is no justification to exclude more than 8 million workers in the private sector

We therefore seek an urgent meeting with Yang Amat Berhormat to discuss this pressing
issue.

Thank you,
For and on behalf of the
Malaysian Trades Union Congress
Syed Shahir bin Syed Mohamud (President)
G. Rajasekaran (Secretary General)
18th June 2007

To have national unity, order must come first. We need to aim for zero conflict. But to have zero conflict we must solve the problem of poverty. A strong government policy was needed to tackle poverty - Dr Mansor Mohd Noor Deputy Dean UUM.

PUTRAJAYA 29 May: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) will first use the soft approach in urging the Government to enforce a national minimum monthly wage of RM900 in the private sector.

If that fails, the congress will start holding pickets at strategic locations before calling for a one-day nationwide strike.

President Syed Shahrir Syed Mohamud said that the minimum wage scheme was needed to eradicate poverty in the country.

“Millions of private sector workers still earn RM400 to RM500 per month and can barely cope with the rising cost of living.

“We want the private sector to emulate the Government in terms of ensuring that workers’ basic salaries are not below the poverty income level (of RM691 per month),” he said,

Syed Shahrir said that the MTUC’s general council which met last week decided to send a memorandum to this effect to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on June 20.

The MTUC is also demanding that employers pay an additional RM300 as cost of living allowance (Cola) above the RM900 minimum wage for every private sector worker.

“The payment of Cola is not something new. It was introduced in the mid-70s when the cost of living escalated and caused hardship to the people due to high global crude oil prices then,” he said.

Similarly, the high fuel prices and increasing cost of goods and services over the past few years have posed tremendous hardship to the people, especially those in the lower income bracket, he said.

Syed Shahrir said that thousands of union leaders and workers from all over the country were expected to gather in Putrajaya to submit the memorandum to the Prime Minister.

He said that there would be protests at strategic locations if there was no positive feedback from the Government on the memorandum.

“We also plan a one-day nationwide strike if the Government continues to ignore our memorandum.”

PUTRAJAYA, 19 June: The Government hopes the MTUC will not go ahead with its plans to picket if its request for a minimum wage for the private sector is not met.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak asked the congress to discuss the matter further with the Government before making any move.

“We have certain considerations and we have to bear in mind that a minimum wage has far-reaching consequences,” he said.

Stating that the Government had not adopted the minimum wage policy in the country, Najib said producers of industries could decide on the acceptable wage level.

MTUC is seeking legislation to fix a minimum wage of RM900 as well as cost of living allowance (Cola) of RM300 for private sector employees.

On Monday, it presented a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office, giving the Government a one-week ultimatum to respond.

Failing this, the MTUC threatened to stage pickets in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Bangi, Shah Alam, Klang, Johor, Kuching and Penang next Monday between 5pm and 6.30pm.

BERNAMA

PUTRAJAYA, MON 18 June: Barely a month after the government announced a pay hike for about one million civil servants, there is now a clamour for the introduction of a minimum wage for private sector employees.
Towards this end, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), the umbrella body for Malaysia’s eight million private sector workers, wants a minimum wage of RM900 and RM300 as Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for the group.

MTUC stated this in a memorandum delivered by its president, Syed Shahir Syed Mohamad, and secretary-general G. Rajasekaran to the Prime Minister’s Office here today.

He told reporters before handing the memorandum to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s senior private secretary Ahmad Yaacob that the workers’ contribution to the country’s economic growth and national development as well as their cooperation in maintaining industrial peace had received the government’s recognition and appreciation.

“Yet a significant proportion of wage earners in the country remain poorly paid and denied basic necessities of life. The vast majority of these workers are unskilled and remain outside the coverage of trade union membership,” he said.
Last month, Abdullah announced a 7.5 per cent to 42 per cent pay hike for one million government employees while COLA is to be increased by 100 per cent, starting next month.

Syed Shahir said despite huge profits, basic wages for workers involved in the plantation, textile and garment and manufacturing sectors remained below RM500, and this warranted the government to introduce a minimum wage legislation.

“There’s no justification for the government to further delay the passing of a minimum wage legislation to be applicable to all workers. By enforcing a decent minimum wage, the government would be able to attract more Malaysian workers and reduce dependency on foreign labour,” he added.

He claimed that the absence of a specific minimum wage provision in the Employment act 1955 had led to widespread exploitation of private sector workers by their employers.

On COLA, MTUC believed that the government must have carried out a careful and in-depth study on the rising cost of living and its implications on wage earners before deciding to pay a COLA of RM300 to civil servants.

“There’s no justifiction to exclude the more than eight million workers in the private sector from getting it,” Syed Shahir said.

By : V. THOMAS, Sungai Buloh, Selangor

THE call by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress for a minimum wage scheme should be looked into seriously as workers in the lower categories are much affected by the increased cost of living, disparities in salary and exploitation by employers.
The government needs to consider the various factors that have made a minimum wage scheme necessary for the continued industrial harmony and economic growth of the country.

Since the 1990s, most of the industries have automated or mechanised their manufacturing and production processes, leading to employers needing only a minimum number of workers.

Wages now form a smaller portion of production costs than before.

Only the agriculture sector is labour-intensive but even here the sky-high prices of commodities have made a minimum wage scheme feasible for workers.
Considering the high cost of living and other factors, the minimum wage for the workers should be RM1,000 per month.

The government’s agreement to a minimum wage scheme would be the best affirmative action for all lower-end workers.

The lack of a minimum wage has led to the large scale employment of foreigners in ares where locals could be used such as shops, SMEs and transport service sector.

Many locals have also taken up self-employment instead of working for low wages. A minimum wage scheme could release a few thousand of these locals into various industries and reduce the need for foreigners.

Whereas large firms and multinationals offer attractive pay schemes in line with international standards, this is not the case with SMEs, which make up about 90 per cent of local industries.

This mainly non-unionised sector has long been deprived of not only reasonable wages but also of medical benefits, paid leave and bonus.

Frequent reports of ill-treatment and exploitation of foreigners are an indication of the urgent need to opt for a minimum wage for Malaysian workers as well as foreigners to make sure that employers prefer local workers.

Salary schemes are much skewed in favour of middle and upper management, and are unfavourable to workers at the bottom tiers.

The government should not wash its hands and say that it is the prerogative of employers to decide on the salary of workers.

The government needs to recognise that private sector workers, too, work hard to boost productivity and are second to none in nation-building and creating a strong and resilient economy.

Malaysia has a per capita income of RM40,000 per annum but lower-end workers can hardly expect a quarter of this amount per year.

Need there be a better illustration of the fact that something is amiss in our wage structure and socio-economic system?

The government needs to consider creating a viable social security system to help low-paid workers, retirees, the retrenched, single parents, the widowed and the sick.

It was recently reported that most retirees use up their EPF money by the age of 65.

The MTUC should not opt for a confrontational stance with the government as any minimum wage scheme can only become a success with the support and co-operation of the government.

It should interact positively with the government to make sure that millions of Malaysian workers will get the minimum wage scheme implemented, as well as see the creation of a strong social security system- cum-welfare state in Malay-sia.

Selvarani Mogan (Malaysiakini)

Jun 19, 07 — Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC) mempersoalkan sama ada Kementerian Sumber Manusia cukup kakitangan untuk memastikan majikan swasta menjalankan ujian dadah dan arak setiap enam bulan ke atas pekerjanya.
Presidennya, Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud, berkata ujian ini merupakan perkara yang baru dan masalah penagihan dadah pula adalah serius.

Katanya, isu ini juga perlu dilihat daripada aspek kemanusiaan dan perlu perbincangan yang serius untuk menanganinya.

Beliau berkata, majikan tidak mempunyai pilihan lain dan mereka harus mengikuti arahan yang dikeluarkan oleh kementerian.

Bagaimanapun, katanya yang pentingnya ialah soal penguatkuasaan sama ada kementerian mempunyai cukup pegawai bagi melaksanakan peraturan ini.

“Pegawai diperlukan untuk memantau majikan yang melanggar peraturan ini,” katanya ketika dihubungi malaysiakini hari ini.

Semalam, kerajaan akan memastikan semua majikan di negara ini menjalankan ujian saringan dadah, alkohol dan bahan terlarang terhadap pekerja mereka setiap enam bulan sekali bagi memastikan mereka bebas daripada gejala negatif itu.

Kesedaran pekerja

Timbalan Menteri Sumber Manusia, Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar berkata, majikan yang gagal mematuhi peraturan itu boleh dikenakan hukuman penjara maksimum dua tahun atau denda RM 20 000 atau kedua-duanya sekali.

Peraturan mewajibkan semua majikan membuat ujian itu sudah ditetapkan dalam Kod amalan Pencegahan dan Pembasmian Penyalahgunaan Dadah, Alkohol dan Bahan di Tempat Kerja yang bertujuan memastikan Akta Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerja 1994 dipatuhi.

Menurut Akta Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerja 1994, semua majikan yang mempunyai lebih 40 pekerja mesti menubuhkan Jawatankuasa Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan bagi membantu mencegah masalah penyalahgunaan dadah di kalangan pekerja.

Ditanya sama ada pekerja tempatan mudah terlibat dengan dadah dan alkohol, Syed Shahir berkata, kajian yang mendalam perlu dibuat dan tidak kira pekerja tempatan atau luar negara.

Katanya, syarikat besar yang mempunyai kesatuan sekerja biasanya mengambil berat mengenai Akta Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerja 1994.

“Jika dilihat sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini, memang terdapat kesedaran di kalangan pekerja,” katanya.

Malaysiakini

Jun 19, 07 –Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak meminta Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC) – badan induk kesatuan bagi lapan juta pekerja sektor swasta di negara ini – supaya tidak mengadakan piket berhubung permohonan gaji minimum.

“Kami berharap mereka (MTUC) tidak akan mengadakannya tetapi terus mengadakan perbincangan dengan kerajaan kerana kita mempunyai pertimbangan tertentu yang perlu difikirkan.

“Terdapat banyak akibat timbul dengan gaji minimum tetapi terdapat amalan yang dilakukan industri misalnya industri memutuskan tahap gaji yang boleh diterima tetapi kita masih belum menerima pakai dasar gaji minimum di negara ini,” katanya kepada pemberita.

Sebelum itu, Najib mempengerusikan mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Kabinet Mengenai Barang-Barang Perlu di Putrajaya hari ini, demikian menurut laporan Bernama.

Semalam, MTUC menyerahkan satu memorandum kepada Pejabat Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi meminta kerajaan meminda Akta Pekerjaan 1955 bagi gaji minimum ditetapkan sebanyak RM900 dan tambahan RM300 sebagai Elaun Sara Hidup (COLA) kepada pekerja sektor swasta.

Presiden MTUC Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud berkata, MTUC memberikan tempoh seminggu kepada kerajaan memberi maklum balas yang positif terhadap permohonannya,

Jika tidak, kata beliau, MTUC akan mengadakan piket di beberapa tempat di negara ini.

MTUC bercadang mengadakan piket serentak di Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Bangi, Shah Alam, Klang, Johor, Kuching dan Pulau Pinang pada Isnin mulai jam 5 hingga 6 petang.

G Vikneswary (Malaysiakini)

May 30, 07 –Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC) merancang mengadakan mogok di seluruh negara jika gagal menerima respons positif berhubung tuntutan gaji minima bagi pekerja swasta.

Setiausaha Agung MTUC, G Rajasekaran, ketika dihubungi hari ini berkata, pihaknya akan menyerahkan memorandum kepada kerajaan pada 20 Jun ini berhubung perkara tersebut.

Katanya, dua minggu lalu, Majlis MTUC merancang untuk mengadakan mogok sehari sebagai langkah terakhir.

“Mogok akan diadakan di beberapa tempat seperti Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam dan Kuala Lumpur jika tiada tindakan daripada majikan swasta mengenai tuntutan itu dalam tempoh seminggu selepas memorandum diserahkan.

“Majlis MTUC tidak menolak kemungkinan melancarkan mogok jika tuntutan tidak dipenuhi,” katanya.

Mogok besar pekerja pernah dilancarkan di Malaysia pada tahun 1999, apabila 70,000 pekerja ladang menuntut gaji harian ditukarkan kepada gaji bulanan.

Bayaran COLA

Baru-baru ini, kerajaan telah menaikkan gaji 1.2 juta kakitangan awam sehingga 35 peratus mulai Julai depan. Tuntutan mengenai kenaikan gaji itu telah dibuat sejak 1999.

“Kami hanya menuntut gaji minima sebanyak RM900 sebulan dan ini sudah adil untuk kakitangan swasta.

“Kerajaan juga sedar bahawa masyarakat perlukan (sekurang-kurangnya) sejumlah wang tersebut untuk meneruskan kehidupan,” katanya.

Rajasekaran berkata, kerajaan juga sepatutnya mengarahkan sektor swasta menaikkan gaji serta elaun sarahidup (COLA) sebanyak RM300 sebulan dan bukan sekadar menyerahkan kepada majikan untuk membuat keputusan bagi pekerja mereka.

Katanya, kerajaan pernah mengarahkan sektor swasta memberi imbuhan gaji pekerja pada 1974 yang dikenali sebagai elaun bantuan khas berikutan kenaikan harga minyak ketika itu.

“Kami masih lagi tidak puas kerana kerajaan belum mengumumkan apa-apa mengenai tuntutan gaji pekerja swasta, di mana seramai lapan juta pekerja perlu dibayar COLA,” tambahnya.