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?
Furthermore, they add, it is easily done with the latest technology.
<p> Similarly, try praising the EPF for its almost effortless and quick claims
processing these days. Some will tell you that that’s the agency’s
job. Besides, the millions spent on computerisation have made it possible. </p>
<p>Many seem to ask: “What’s the big deal?” </p>
<p>Well, only those who have benefited from the EPF’s quick delivery system
can say it had been a pleasant experience.</p>
<p>Admittedly, bad apples in any government agency or government-linked company
do exist.</p>
<p>But you can be sure that any discussion on the civil service, whether at the
<i>teh tarik</i> stalls or in the boardrooms, elicits some serious responses.
This underscores the fact that it is the most important implementing component
of the government machinery. </p>
<p>With opinions on the performance of civil servants discussed widely, Cuepacs’
recent request for salary increases of up to 40% – the highest asked in
its history – saw varied reactions.</p>
<p>Cuepacs said they deserve the revision, giving among the reasons: </p>
<li> HIGHER productivity in the civil service, based on ISO attainment;<p>
<li>SPIRALLING cost of living, brought about by fuel price increases, toll hikes
and higher water and power rates; and that <p>
<li>THE last salary revision was in 1992.
<p>Now, higher productivity is debatable and very subjective. Many feel that Cuepacs
president Omar Osman’s reasoning – that productivity has increased
because you can get a passport in two days or MyKad in a day – could
be an overstatement.</p>
<p>And his view – that the ISO certificates given to many departments show
they now provide better service – is almost laughable to some people.</p>
<p>In many cases, department heads pursue the ISOs so vigorously to enhance their
CVs that it takes them away from their core duties.</p>
<p>While many admit that services in some departments have improved, a lot more
still needs to be done.</p>
<p>For example, waiting time at hospitals and approvals from local and licensing
authorities are still slow despite constant calls by Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to cut red tape.</p>
<p>Someone remarked that “the red tape involved in cutting down red tape
itself is a long process!”</p>
<p>Most hospitals and enforcement units blame it on the lack of staff, which is
real in most cases. Therefore, the Cuepacs claim that productivity has increased
is true only to a certain extent.</p>
<p>However, rocketing costs of living is true and felt by most people, especially
those living in the cities. Although the Government has introduced living
allowances based on the cost of living in the towns, the hardship faced by
civil servants is still evident.</p>
<p>According to Cuepacs, many middle and lower income workers have no choice but
to take part-time jobs.</p>
<p>We are not going to see the end of rising prices of goods and services, with
fluctuating oil and rubber prices. Thus, the claims by the government employees
umbrella union in this case are totally justified.</p>
<p>However, its claim that the last revision was in 1992 is not exactly correct.
The Government had, over the years, raised the basic salaries by 20% and also
revised various allowances. It also introduced bonus payments, something the
civil servants did not enjoy in the 1980s.</p>
<p>Based on these arguments, Cuepacs’ claim for a revision is justified.
But to ask for a 40% increase may not be acceptable.</p>
<p>Cuepacs, on its part, should embark on a programme to get civil servants to
overcome the negative image they tend to project. The union’s role is not
merely to ask for salary increases but also to get its members to smile more.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com