The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) said today it would continue with its May 12 picket if the conditions set in its memorandum to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) last Friday are not met.

"The decision to picket on May 12 has already been decided, but if there is a tangible reply to our demands from the government, then we would think seriously about calling it off. It all depends on EPF," said MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran when contacted by malaysiakini.

The four main points in MTUC memorandum called for:

- The abolishment of the annuity scheme which provides workers' pensions through private insurance companies;

- The reduction of death and incapacitation benefits for workers which was reduced from RM30,000 to RM2,000;

- Maintaining employees contribution to the EPF at 11 percent and allowing them to fill out forms only when they wish to contribute less and

- A more accountable, responsible and transparent management of funds for investment within the EPF.

Rajasekaran said Human Resources Minister Fong Chan Onn would bring up the MTUC-EPF issue at today's weekly Cabinet meeting.

Last Friday, a 12-member MTUC delegation, headed by its president Zainal Rampak, met with EPF officials to hand over the former's memorandum.

"If EPF can meet our conditions, then we can consider calling off our picket. We are not asking for the impossible," said Rajasekaran.