5,000 expected at Penang's anti-GST rally
Susan LoonePublished: Apr 28, 2014 7:39 AM | Updated: Apr 28, 2014 7:53 AM
About 5,000 people are expected to join the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (Penang division) in a rally against the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on May 1 in Butterworth, Penang.
About 5,000 people are expected to join the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (Penang division) in a rally against the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on May 1 in Butterworth, Penang.
State MTUC secretary K Veeriah said the gathering will be held at the open space at the junction of Jalan Telaga Air and Jalan Siram between 10am and 12.00 noon.
He added this would be the first occasion where MTUC Penang division is organising a gathering of workers, or a rally, on a specific issue such as GST, affecting workers in the country.
"We hope that workers, and the public at large would participate in the gathering as it is important to display our collective objection to the reality of escalating cost of living," Veeriah (right) said.
He was speaking to reporters today after attending the Workers Memorial held in Prai in memory of those who died during the construction of the first Penang bridge in 1985.
The MTUC secretary said it is also imperative that workers and citizens come together in solidarity to protest the impending implementation of the GST as it would invariably have a negative impact on the already declining standard of living.
"Please show up in big numbers so that our message of disappointment and disgust at the escalating cost of living and GST can be conveyed loudly and clearly and in no uncertain terms," he added.
Bersih backs protest
Bersih Northern region coordinator Toh Kin Woon said the coalition for free and fair election supported the MTUC rally.
"It is clear that the federal government is not sensitive to workers’ demands when workers are the biggest contributors to the country," he said, when met at the event, which was attended by about 100 people.
"To get a sensitive government which can fulfil the workers’ demands, we need to have a free and fair elections, that is the reason for Bersih's support of this event," he stressed.
Meanwhile, he said the objective of the gathering is to protest the increasing prices of essential goods and services that is placing a heavy burden on workers, and to urge the federal government not to implement GST.
Veeriah said the rally is also to demand for the implementation of the Cost of Living Allowance of RM300 for private sector employees and to demand a revision of the minimum wage from the current RM900 to RM1,500 per month.
"We will also call upon the government to build more affordable homes, stop the privatisation of public medical services and ensure free schooling up to and including tertiary studies.
"We will also ask for an increase of direct assistance to single mothers and the disabled, to reduce and/ or abolish toll collection and to regulate cost of private medical treatment," he added.
Veeriah said the rally is also held to demand for water and electricity rates to be reduced, to improve transportation and introduce micro credit schemes.
He added that workers want a review of all existing labour related laws to ensure greater protection for workers and their trade unions.
"We want to government to implement an unemployment social security scheme for workers who have lost their jobs through plant closures and retrenchments," he added.
State MTUC secretary K Veeriah said the gathering will be held at the open space at the junction of Jalan Telaga Air and Jalan Siram between 10am and 12.00 noon.
He added this would be the first occasion where MTUC Penang division is organising a gathering of workers, or a rally, on a specific issue such as GST, affecting workers in the country.
"We hope that workers, and the public at large would participate in the gathering as it is important to display our collective objection to the reality of escalating cost of living," Veeriah (right) said.He was speaking to reporters today after attending the Workers Memorial held in Prai in memory of those who died during the construction of the first Penang bridge in 1985.
The MTUC secretary said it is also imperative that workers and citizens come together in solidarity to protest the impending implementation of the GST as it would invariably have a negative impact on the already declining standard of living.
"Please show up in big numbers so that our message of disappointment and disgust at the escalating cost of living and GST can be conveyed loudly and clearly and in no uncertain terms," he added.
Bersih backs protest
Bersih Northern region coordinator Toh Kin Woon said the coalition for free and fair election supported the MTUC rally.
"It is clear that the federal government is not sensitive to workers’ demands when workers are the biggest contributors to the country," he said, when met at the event, which was attended by about 100 people.
"To get a sensitive government which can fulfil the workers’ demands, we need to have a free and fair elections, that is the reason for Bersih's support of this event," he stressed.
Meanwhile, he said the objective of the gathering is to protest the increasing prices of essential goods and services that is placing a heavy burden on workers, and to urge the federal government not to implement GST.
Veeriah said the rally is also to demand for the implementation of the Cost of Living Allowance of RM300 for private sector employees and to demand a revision of the minimum wage from the current RM900 to RM1,500 per month.
"We will also call upon the government to build more affordable homes, stop the privatisation of public medical services and ensure free schooling up to and including tertiary studies.
"We will also ask for an increase of direct assistance to single mothers and the disabled, to reduce and/ or abolish toll collection and to regulate cost of private medical treatment," he added.
Veeriah said the rally is also held to demand for water and electricity rates to be reduced, to improve transportation and introduce micro credit schemes.
He added that workers want a review of all existing labour related laws to ensure greater protection for workers and their trade unions.
"We want to government to implement an unemployment social security scheme for workers who have lost their jobs through plant closures and retrenchments," he added.
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