Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
The four-hour event, filled with varied performances and powerful speeches,
culminated in the reading of MTUC’s Labour Day declaration at the stroke of
midnight.
<p><IMG height=159 hspace=5 src="images/news/10094.jpg" width=250 align=right>Members
from dozens of unions descended upon the Independence Square with banners
and union T-shirts. Many unions also observed the traditional May Day march
towards the area.</p>
<p>Making heads turn were members of the National Union of Bank Employees (Nube), who
marched into the square en masse with hundreds of helium-filled balloons which
was later shared with other MTUC members.</p>
<p>This year’s celebration brearing themed, ‘Globalisation erodes workers’ rights’,
saw more than 2,000 participants from all walks of life, including veteran union
leaders and those from as far as Sarawak and Johor.</P>
<p><b>More than a holiday</b></p>
<p>Cries of <EM>Hidup Pekerja</EM> (long live workers) echoed throughout Dataran
Merdeka, punctuated by loud applause of appreciation for performances, speakers
and whenever the audience appeared on the big screen.</p>
<p><IMG height=182 hspace=5 src="images/news/10097.jpg" width=150 align=left>Addressing
the crowd, MTUC president Syed Sharir Syed Mohamud reminded those present that
they were gathered not just to be entertained, but also to send a powerful message
to the masses.</p>
<p>“Earlier, reporters asked me why our theme is the same as last year. The reason
is because things have not changed, in fact, it has become worse.</p>
<p> “Despite the dozens of memorandums, appeals, dialogues (with the government
and employers) […] many issues have yet to be resolved. Instead, more problems
have cropped up,” said Syed in reference to the impending tariff hike on electricity
and water.</p>
<p><b>Sleeping tiger</b></p>
<p>Syed said that there are more than 11 million workers in Malaysia, and should
the oppression of workers continue, he feared the ‘sleeping tiger’ might be
awoken.</p>
<p>“Don’t anyone question our loyalty and love for our country. Malaysians are
among the most hardworking and most productive in the world, but yet they receive
the lowest wages,” added Syed to the rapturous roar of agreement from the audience.</p>
<p><IMG height=151 hspace=5 src="images/news/10095.jpg" width=250 align=right>Syed
urged members who disagreed with his leadership not to spilt the solidarity
of the workers as it was essential to resolving problems faced by the working
class.</p>
<p>“Learn from the NUBE crisis. For five years they failed to resolve their internal
problems, but when they had support from their fellow workers (within MTUC),
they overcame their problems in just eight months,” thundered Syed. </p>
<p>Among the demands made in the 10-point declaration read out at midnight includes
the legislation of laws pertaining to a minimum wage of RM900 and immediate
halt to the privatisation plans of water supply and health services.</p>
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com