MTUC rally to mark May Day
Leong Kar YenPublished: Apr 16, 2001 9:23 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
The Malaysian Trade Unions Congress (MTUC) today announced plans for a 3,000-strong rally at its Subang Jaya headquarters on May 1 to mark Labour Day.
The gathering will demand for workers the implementation of minimum wage, the freedom to participate in unions, that welfare and safety be ensured and that the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) acts responsibly in looking after workers' contribution.
MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran told a press conference a number of other workers' issues will also be raised.
"Dismissals, discrimination and disgraceful treatment of workers continue to exist. Anti-union activities are openly practiced despite legislative curbs. Government policy seriously obstructs growth of trade unions and employers take advantage of this to evade union recognition," he said.
"Over the last two years, more than 10,000 workers did not get any retrenchment benefits as prescribed by the law. The government has failed to effectively address this problem."
Police permit
Rajasekaran said MTUC had applied for a police permit last week to hold the rally but have yet to receive a response. He urged the authorities to speedily approve the permit.
"By giving the permit, the government is showing that workers are disciplined and they have the freedom to assemble peacefully," he said.
He added that the government would send the "right message" to the world by allowing the rally to proceed.
"It will be a peaceful assembly with only unions sending their representatives to the gathering. It is not a public event. So if there are troublemakers we would be able to identify them," said Rajasekaran.
Police have been selective in issuing permits to those planning to hold rallies, particularly those organised by the opposition and reformasi groups.
EPF picket
MTUC will also be holding a controversial picket outside the EPF headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on May 12 to protest against the alleged misuse of EPF funds. The government has expressed its opposition to the picket and called on the body to drop the action.
MTUC members are upset with EPF for allegedly bailing out politically-connected companies and its dropping dividends, which at the six percent last year, was the lowest in 26 years. The EPF has 9.7 million members.
However, when asked about the planned picket, Rajasekaran declined to comment.
The gathering will demand for workers the implementation of minimum wage, the freedom to participate in unions, that welfare and safety be ensured and that the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) acts responsibly in looking after workers' contribution.
MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran told a press conference a number of other workers' issues will also be raised.
"Dismissals, discrimination and disgraceful treatment of workers continue to exist. Anti-union activities are openly practiced despite legislative curbs. Government policy seriously obstructs growth of trade unions and employers take advantage of this to evade union recognition," he said.
"Over the last two years, more than 10,000 workers did not get any retrenchment benefits as prescribed by the law. The government has failed to effectively address this problem."
Police permit
Rajasekaran said MTUC had applied for a police permit last week to hold the rally but have yet to receive a response. He urged the authorities to speedily approve the permit.
"By giving the permit, the government is showing that workers are disciplined and they have the freedom to assemble peacefully," he said.
He added that the government would send the "right message" to the world by allowing the rally to proceed.
"It will be a peaceful assembly with only unions sending their representatives to the gathering. It is not a public event. So if there are troublemakers we would be able to identify them," said Rajasekaran.
Police have been selective in issuing permits to those planning to hold rallies, particularly those organised by the opposition and reformasi groups.
EPF picket
MTUC will also be holding a controversial picket outside the EPF headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on May 12 to protest against the alleged misuse of EPF funds. The government has expressed its opposition to the picket and called on the body to drop the action.
MTUC members are upset with EPF for allegedly bailing out politically-connected companies and its dropping dividends, which at the six percent last year, was the lowest in 26 years. The EPF has 9.7 million members.
However, when asked about the planned picket, Rajasekaran declined to comment.
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