MTUC wants Cola, bonuses for private sector workers
Pauline PuahPublished: Oct 14, 2005 9:06 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) today urged the employers in the private sector to follow the precedent set by the government in paying a cost of living allowance (Cola) to their workers.
The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) today urged the employers in the private sector to follow the precedent set by the government in paying a cost of living allowance (Cola) to their workers.
MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said the union will submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi next week, urging him to direct all employers in the country, including those in the plantation sector, to pay Cola.
"The premier should have at least said a line in his budget speech that the government advises or recommends that employers pay bonuses or Cola to their employees. We just wanted him to say that one line but he did not even do that," Syed Shahrir told a press conference this morning.
He said MTUC was deeply disturbed by the government's failure to address the plight of employees in the private sector, which constitute a large segment of the Malaysian workforce.
He said while emphasising the importance of productivity, the government should also give support to workers by advising employees to grant necessary benefits.
"Hundred of thousands of workers in the country are not paid a bonus every year. The government's discriminatory approach has become more glaring and disappointing," he said.
Civil servants were granted Cola of between RM50-RM150 and bonuses ranging from one to one-and-half months under the 2006 Budget unveiled a fortnight ago.
Wrong perception
Syed Sharir said all MTUC affiliated unions would soon be asking private sector employers to pay Cola in line with the move by the government to do the same.
He said MTUC was also greatly concerned by the 2006 Budget's failure to address the numerous problems faced by employees in the private sector.
"The government again did not address the issue of a RM900 per month minimum wage as proposed by MTUC," he said, adding the government should study the demand of the workers as they are voters too.
He said it is wrong to assume that workers are satisfied in their present situations.
"Don't forget that a lot of workers from the private sector have not received bonuses from their employers," he reiterated.
Also present at the press conference was MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran.
MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said the union will submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi next week, urging him to direct all employers in the country, including those in the plantation sector, to pay Cola.
"The premier should have at least said a line in his budget speech that the government advises or recommends that employers pay bonuses or Cola to their employees. We just wanted him to say that one line but he did not even do that," Syed Shahrir told a press conference this morning. He said MTUC was deeply disturbed by the government's failure to address the plight of employees in the private sector, which constitute a large segment of the Malaysian workforce.
He said while emphasising the importance of productivity, the government should also give support to workers by advising employees to grant necessary benefits.
"Hundred of thousands of workers in the country are not paid a bonus every year. The government's discriminatory approach has become more glaring and disappointing," he said.
Civil servants were granted Cola of between RM50-RM150 and bonuses ranging from one to one-and-half months under the 2006 Budget unveiled a fortnight ago.
Wrong perception
Syed Sharir said all MTUC affiliated unions would soon be asking private sector employers to pay Cola in line with the move by the government to do the same.
He said MTUC was also greatly concerned by the 2006 Budget's failure to address the numerous problems faced by employees in the private sector.
"The government again did not address the issue of a RM900 per month minimum wage as proposed by MTUC," he said, adding the government should study the demand of the workers as they are voters too.
He said it is wrong to assume that workers are satisfied in their present situations.
"Don't forget that a lot of workers from the private sector have not received bonuses from their employers," he reiterated.
Also present at the press conference was MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran.
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