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?
As Malaysians gear up toward the 14th General Elections, the respective party manifestos become the promise of undertaking should they be elected into office.
The few pledges that did address workers’ woes fell short on promising a significant difference that will uplift the nation’s standard of wellbeing and prosperity.
This MTUC manifesto is to remind all political candidates that the needs of the workforce have once again been overlooked.
The following demands are intended to address key areas where workers’ rights and wellbeing have been compromised and the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) welcomes dialogues and discussions with interested candidates or political parties who want to have a better understanding to champion this workers’ manifesto.
For the upcoming general elections workers are encouraged to support any party that will guarantee the following demands:
1. Set-up a Land and Housing Regulatory Authority comprising all stakeholders to identify demand and manage supply of affordable housing in the country.
2. Build affordable housing in the appropriate size of 1,000sqft, offered for purchase at zero percent (0%) interest rate to B40 workers and at minimum two percent (2%) interest rate to M40 workers.
3. Implement the minimum wage of RM1,800 in the next review and ensuring that in the next five years it reaches the current Bank Negara Malaysia recommended living wage of RM2,700.00.
4. Implement a minimum of RM300 Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for all workers.
5. Implement the RM3,500 minimum salary for all graduates.
6. Abolish the Goods and Services Tax (GST) except for luxury items.
7. Raise the bar on tax exemption on wages to RM6,500 and below.
8. Provide free tertiary education to all students from B40 and M40 homes and cease all repayment for PTPTN immediately.
9. Introduce workers’ rights and labour law into the education syllabus.
10. Employees’ Provident Funds (EPF) must not be invested into any entity that promotes union busting and breaks down worker rights.
11. Implement a minimum requirement of EPF dividends of no less than 8%.
12. The Government to undertake hospitalisation and surgical insurance coverage for all Malaysians within B40 and M40.
13. Provide sufficient opportunities for comprehensive and relevant up-skilling and to ensure digitalisation are implemented in a controlled manner to allow the existing Malaysian workforce to be relevant.
14. Implement a comprehensive policy to deal with the foreign workers issue in the country.
15. Reform recognition process, ensure recognition by employers of legitimate trade unions with no hindrances and criminalise anti-union activities and victimisation of trade unionist.
16. Refer disputes that are not resolved at IR Department direct to the Industrial Court.
17. Put an end to the practice of compensating workers in lieu of reinstatement; without the consent of the workers when the Industrial Courts find the dismissals to be wrongful.
18. Undertake a holistic review of the Labour Law, legislate check-off, revoke legislation that impede on union rights and ratify the ILO Convention 87.
19. Allocate additional funds to Industrial Relations Department (IRD), the Departure of Trade Unions Affairs to be channeled as grants to unions to train and up-skill respective members, and for Labour Department to increase enforcement.
20. Amend Employment Act 1955 to provide 90 days paid maternity leave and 30 days paid paternity leave.
21. The Government shall create awareness on Workers’ rights and all matters related to Workers via all television channels.
J SOLOMON
SECRETARY GENERAL
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com