Monday, December 28, 2015

MTUC Urges the Government to Drop Two Jobs Scheme Idea

Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) referring to a media report quoted by the Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan recommended that the government encourages those in the low-income group to work two jobs, as it is one way to cope with the rising cost of living. Datuk Ahmad Maslan also said that holding down two jobs was not uncommon as it was done by many around the world.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Malaysia's GDP growth set to slow to 4.5%: World Bank

The World Bank has projected that Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) will ease to 4.5 per cent in 2016, from 4.7 per cent this year, due to a slowdown in domestic demand.

 The World Bank projected Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) would ease to 4.5 per cent in 2016, from 4.7 per cent this year, reflecting "some slowdown in domestic demand in the course of 2015 from tighter fiscal conditions".

World Bank: Foreign workers help Malaysians, country scale economic ladder

Oft-maligned, untrained foreign workers help create demand for skilled Malaysian employees and contribute to the country’s economic growth, according to a World Bank report.
In its annual report titled “Malaysia Economic Monitor: Immigrant Labour”, the global fund projected that an influx of 10 migrant workers into a state’s sector results in 5.2 jobs for Malaysians and a 1.1 per cent net increase to the gross domestic product (GDP).
“Low skilled immigrant fill workforce gaps, reduce production costs and expand output and exports.
“As a result, unskilled employment increases and profits rise which increases investment and the demand for higher skilled Malaysians,” according to the report.

MALAYSIA:::Putrajaya mulling savings fund for foreign workers through wage cuts

The government is considering deducting wages from foreign workers to create a savings fund for them, minister Datuk Paul Low said today.
“It’s very tough to go back without any money. Of course in some cases, they send all the money back, in some cases they lost the money locally through leakages,” Low, who is minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said at the launch of the World Bank’s 13th Malaysia Economic Monitor report.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Filthy rich foreign 'agents' in Malaysia

AT least 10 Bangladeshis have become millionaires by selling fake support letters to bring in illegal foreign workers, reported Berita Harian.
In fact, they had also forged their citizenship papers in order to obtain genuine foreign worker passes in Malaysia.
Once they had settled in Malaysia, they started their operations and charged RM6,000 (S$1,970) for each Bangladeshi wanting to enter the country.

Monday, December 14, 2015

MALAYSIA:::‘No’ to Umno delegate’s call to stop EPF cuts amid rising living costs, says MTUC

he Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has rejected a proposal by an Umno delegate at the party’s ongoing assembly for the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to waive workers’ contributions to cope with the rising cost of living. MTUC secretary-general N. Gopal Kishnam said EPF was a retirement fund and even after saving for 30 years, many employees did not have sufficient funds to support their old age.   “EPF is a retirement fund and based on its own findings, the returns employees get after contributing for more than 25 or 30 years are insufficient. Therefore, we are strongly opposed to this,” 

Saturday, December 12, 2015

INDONESIA:::Diprantarai KJRI Kuching, 23 TKI Asal Sumut Akan Pulang ke Indonesia

 Sebanyak 23 TKI asal Sumut yang sempat terlantar di Tanjung Manis Serawak Malaysia dan diduga ditipu oleh pihak agen PJTKI PT.Satria Parang Teritis yang beralamat dijalan gaperta medan akhirnya akan di pulangkan ke Indonesia dalam kurun waktu seminggu kedepan.
Hal ini disampaikan langsung oleh Jahar Gultom selaku Kepala Konsul Jendral KJRI Kuching didampingi Windu setiyoso (pejabat.fungsi konsuler ), Muhammad abdullah (pejabat fungsi konsuler ), Rizal abdi (staf konsuler 1) melalui konprensi persnya kepada wartawan melalau pesan singkay Watss App (WA), Jumat (11/12/2015).
Menurut arahan Kepala Konsul Jendral KJRI, Jahar Gultom menyampaikan perundingan telah dilakukan di kantor KJRI Kuching antara 23 TKI dan pihak perusahaan yang dihadiri langsung oleh pihak perusahaan Mr.Hasni pemilik perusahaan, Mr. Jimmy eng, Mr. Cong, Mr. Kon ted jee, Mr. Nazri dan Mr. Richmond sudin.

Friday, December 11, 2015

MALAYSIA:::Entrepreneurial options for youth unemployment: Turning the informal sector into an idea economy

Unemployment, particularly among graduates is rapidly increasing in Malaysia. According to a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Abdul Wahid Omar, graduates aged between 20-24 number around 161,000 out of the 400,000 unemployed within the country.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

MTUC to ISIS: Labour enemy of the state?

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has expressed outrage and demanded that the Institute for Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) retract its stand in a report that increased labour rights under the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement was a “Public Order and Stability” issue. ISIS in its National Interest analysis released last week added that, “the potentially disruptive threats posed by labour actions will have a negative impact on national interest”.

ILO interviews IOE Secretary-General on employers' role in ending modern slavery

Business can make an impact to end modern slavery
IOE Secretary-General Linda Kromjong, explains why the ILO Forced Labour Protocol is relevant to business and employers and how we can work together to eradicate modern slavery. "When you find issues within your business, make sure to fix it!"


Wednesday, December 9, 2015

INDONESIA:::23 TKI Diduga Ditipu Akan Dievakuasi ke KJRI Kuching

Medan Berita – Dedek Cahyadi Sirait (29) warga Tanjung Morawa, Kabupaten Deli Serdang yang merupakan koordinator perwakilan 23 TKI asal Sumut yang diduga ditipu oleh kontrak kerja melalui PJTKI PT.Satria Parang Tritis yang beralamat di medan akhirnya akan dievakuasi dari mess tempat kerja mereka di Tanjung Manis Serawak Malaysia pada hari Rabu (09/12/2015) dini hari pukul 01.00 waktu Malaysia, hal ini disampaikannya via Whats App (WA) selular pada medanberita.co.id, Selasa (08/12/2015).

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

MALAYSIA:::Stricter procedures for employers of foreign workers soon

Employers will have to follow stricter procedures for payment of salaries to foreign workers starting January 2016, Paul Low said today.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the practice will see “middlemen” abolished, and employers will have to be more responsible when it came to their employees.
“The move involving 14 government agencies was made to resolve the problem of foreign workers in the country.

Monday, December 7, 2015

INDONESIA:::Puluhan TKI Asal Medan Diduga Ditipu di Malaysia

 Sebanyak 23 orang TKI asal Medan di negara Malaysia diduga mengalami kasus penipuan.
Informasi diterima dari Sekretaris DPW FSPMI Sumut, Willy Agus Utomo yang mengaku mendapat informasi melalui salah seorang dari 23 TKI tersebut bernama Dedek Cahyadi menyebutkan para TKI itu diduga ditipu oleh agensi tenaga kerja bernama PT. Satria Parang Tritis yang beralamat di Kota Medan.

SINGAPORE:::Mediation service for foreign domestic workers to open in Feb

The idea of a mediation service for foreign domestic workers (FDWs) and their employers first came to Mr William Chew’s mind when employment agencies suggested that his organisation could take on the role of a neutral third party in such disputes.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

MALAYSIA:::New communities create homes away from home in KL’s migrant hub

The narrow alleys that snake through the oldest streets of Kuala Lumpur were once the hub of business and trading activities of the city's first migrant communities. Areas such as Leboh Pasar, Medan Pasar, Jalan Yap Ah Loy, Jalan Petaling, Jalan Cheng Lock and Jalan Pudu were widely known as areas where Chinese and Indian businessmen first established themselves in the post-Malaya independence years. With their neo-classical designs, the old shophouses along Lebuh Ampang, Jalan Hang Kasturi and Jalan Tun H.S. Lee were dotted with businesses ranging from South Indian money lenders, to Chinese and Indian textile shops and restaurants serving familiar flavours of home for the early settlers

Saturday, December 5, 2015

INDUSTRIALL:::Organizers fighting for rights in Malaysia

Two of IndustriALL’s twelve affiliates in Malaysia, the Electrical Industry Workers’ Union (EIWU) and the Electronics Industry Employees’ Union Coalition (EIEU Coalition) have taken on the challenging task of organizing electronics workers in the country.
For the last 50 years, gross domestic product (GDP) in Malaysia has increased by an average of 6.5 per cent per year, setting an economic record among Asian countries. A booming electronics industry is one of the major contributors to this growth.
The industry started in 1972 at the first Malaysian free trade zone of Bayan Lepas, now known as the ‘Silicon Island of the East’, and later expanded to other states in the country.
By 2013, an estimated 350,000 people worked in the electronics industry. Up to 60 per cent of them are migrant workers primarily from Indonesia, but also from Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and India.
Mainly unorganized, they face numerous troubles at work including high recruitment fees, low, late or non-payment of wages, lack of benefits, unsafe working conditions, inadequate accommodation, and have insufficient legal protection making them easy victims for abuse by their employers. Some 70 to 80 per cent of the workers are women.

Law on union recognition

Wanting to change the situation, IndustriALL affiliates, EIWU and EIEU Coalition, decided to organize more electronics workers. However, the unions have been hindered by two serious problems: oppressive trade union and labour laws in Malaysia, and language difficulties when communicating with migrant workers. Added to that is a lack of full time organizers and lawyers.
Maniyam Poovan, general secretary of EIWU, says the Industrial Relations Act is a major obstacle for Malaysian trade unions:
“According to this act, trade unions must apply for recognition from the employer, who then decides whether or not to recognize the union by appealing the union registration to the Ministry of Human Resources. If the Ministry decides against recognition, union members are not protected from dismissals.”
The recognition can be obtained through 50 per cent plus 1 secret ballot vote in favour of the union. But the size of the bargaining unit is not legally determined, allowing employers to manipulate the votes. For instance they can add temporary or migrant workers who do not have the right to vote, but by default are considered voting against. This makes it difficult to get a 50 per cent threshold.
But problems do not discourage unions. In 2014 both EIEU and EIWU joined IndustriALL’s five-year organizing project for electronics workers in the ASEAN region. 600 trade unionists from IndustriALL affiliates in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan were trained in organizing and the results were immediate.
In Malaysia, EIEU Northern region has succeeded in organizing more than 900 workers at an electronics multinational company despite strong resistance and union busting tactics by the management. It is the first time the union has negotiated a collective bargaining agreement that includes migrant workers.
Describing his union organizing activities, Maniyam says:
“The activity is on-going, whether we succeed or fail. We identify new companies and try to get contact people there. Then we hold meetings to brief them on trade unions and their functions.”
In a move to recognize the role of women, a women’s committee made up of affiliates from IndustriALL Global Union was formed in 2014. EIWU representative Kumari was elected chairperson, and will make sure women’s issues are discussed and incorporated into the IndustriALL Malaysian Council’s priorities.
In June 2015, IndustriALL held a world conference on ICT Electrical and Electronics in Malaysia. The major topics discussed at the conference were organizing and fighting precarious work.
 
source:::http://www.industriall-union.org

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

MALAYSIA:::Pembantu rumah terpaksa kerja lima tahun tanpa dibayar gaji


Pembantu rumah terpaksa kerja lima tahun tanpa dibayar gaji
Perkhidmatan pembantu rumah Indonesia telah lama menjadi sebahagian daripada keperluan keluarga domestik negara ini. - Gambar hiasan
GEORGE TOWN: Pejabat Konsul Indonesia di Pulau Pinang berjaya menyelesaikan antara kes yang paling mengejutkan iaitu seorang majikan yang tidak membayar gaji pembantu rumah selama lima tahun perkhidmatan.

Menurut Konsul Jeneral Indonesia di Pulau Pinang Taufiq Rodhy, secara purata pihaknya menerima 200 laporan setahun daripada pembantu rumah republik itu yang berkhidmat di negeri berkenaan, yang menghadapi masalah bayaran gaji oleh majikan masing-masing.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

INDONESIA:::Mengenal Said Iqbal, Presiden Buruh Republik Indonesia

Nama Said Iqbal sebagai tokoh buruh terus mencuat akhir-akhir ini. Jika pada masa orde baru lalu, tokoh yang terlihat dan selalu dikaitkan dengan buruh adalah mereka yang berasal dari luar lingkaran buruh, pada masa orde reformasi, tokoh yang hadir adalah mereka yang berasal dari kalangan buruh sendiri.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

INDONESIA:::Buruh: Mogok Nasional Legal dan Dijamin Oleh Undang-Undang

Jakarta — Sejumlah pimpinan serikat buruh pada siang hari ini kembali melakukan konferensi pers terkait rencana mogok nasional. Agenda tersebut dilakukan di gedung Lembaga Bantuan Hukum (LBH) Jakarta, Jalan Diponegoro, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat.
Pada kesempatan tersebut juga hadir advokat dari LBH Jakarta, yang bersama dengan kurang lebih 100 orang advokat dari 10 organisasi masyarakat sipil lain akan siap mendampingi aksi unjuk rasa buruh dalam berbagai bentuk, termasuk diantaranya aksi mogok nasional.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

INDONESIA:::Tim Advokasi Buruh dan Rakyat Siap Berikan Perlindungan Hukum Dalam Mogok Nasional

Jakarta – Berbagai organisasi masyarakat sipil dan ratusan advokat siap mendukung unjuk rasa dan mogok nasional buruh dalam menolak Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 78/2015 tentang Pengupahan. Para advokat bernama Tim Advokasi Buruh dan Rakyat (TABUR) Tolak PP Pengupahan.
Dalam konferensi persnya di kantor Lembaga Bantuan Hukum (LBH) Jakarta, para advokat menilai bahwa PP Pengupahan tersebut akan semakin memiskinkan kaum buruh dan mengancam demokrasi dan kebebasan berserikat. Apalagi serikat buruh dalam penyusunan PP Pengupahan tidak dilibatkan.

MALAYSIA::: EDRA 1MDB - PEKERJA TNB ADAKAN SOLAT HAJAT

Assalamulalaikum. .
Sdr I
Esok akan diadakan solat hajat 1 TNB bagi memohon kesejahteraan TNB juga agar TNB dapat memenangi bidaan pengambilan  EDRa.

Mohon kerjasama semua ahli2 beragama islam K3P untuk bersama-sama menunaikan solat hajat ini demi kesejahteraan dan kelangsungan sykt yg kita sayangi.

Bersatu bertambah mutu.
Bersatu kita teguh.
Perjuangan tetap diteruskan. 

KUALA LUMPUR: About 40 contributors of the Social Security Organisation (Socso) are diagnosed as invalid (ilat) and incapable of working due to non-contagious illness, daily.
According to Human Resources Ministry director-general Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kassim, a total of 8,912 claims of invalidity pension benefits due to illness such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer were recorded last year.
“It involved benefit payment totalling RM660 million, which was an increase of over 90 per cent from the number recorded 10 years ago,” he told reporters after flagging off the participants of Socso Run and Ride 2015 here yesterday.

Friday, November 13, 2015

Why Obama says TPP is historic for workers — and why US labor unions hate it

The Obama administration is crowing about the labor protections in the Trans-Pacific Partnership — the full text of which were finally released last week.
"TPP has the strongest protections for workers of any trade agreement in history," the administration claims in its introduction to its labor chapterOfficials say they've made huge strides for workers abroad — particularly in getting Vietnam's repressive government to agree to recognize workers' rights and allow independent unions, and Malaysia's government to agree to reforms aimed at preventing forced labor.

MALAYSIA:::Malaysia’s growth slows as GST weighs on spending

Malaysia’s economy expanded at the slowest pace in more than two years as private consumption eased, adding pressure on policy makers to bolster growth and boost confidence.
Gross domestic product rose 4.7 per cent in the three months through September from a year earlier, after climbing 4.9 per cent in the previous quarter, the central bank said in Kuala Lumpur today. That matched the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey.

Monday, November 9, 2015

MALAYSIA:::Labour unions want gov’t to hold dialogues on TPPA

Several labour unions want the government to hold dialogues with them on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) involving workers’ issues.
Union Network International-Malaysian Liaison Council (UNI-MLC) president, Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal said this was because information released on the TPPA was still vague and incomplete.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

MALAYSIA:::MTUC wants dialogue with Ministers on TPPA

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) wants to invite the Minister of Human Resources and the Minister of Trade and Industry to a dialogue session following the publication of the text of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). “The MTUC is prepared to openly discuss the matter with the Malaysian Government. The Minister of Human Resources and the Minister of Trade and Industry should accept such an invitation, in the interest of the people.”

MALAYSIA:::1.5m Bangladeshi workers will bust foreign labour quota in M’sia, warns union

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has questioned Putrajaya on the need to bring in 1.5 more million Bangladeshi workers, saying that the exercise went against its policy to have only 15 per cent foreigners in the labour force by 2020.
MTUC secretary-general, N Gopal Kishnam, said there were already 2.1 million documented foreigners in the country, while another four million are believed to be illegal.

Friday, November 6, 2015

MALAYSIA:::TPPA tackles Malaysia trafficking, Vietnam labour

Malaysia will have to fully implement measures to combat human trafficking and Vietnam must allow independent labour unions before reaping the benefits of a new Pacific trade deal, details of the pact released today showed.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) will require countries to legislate for minimum wages and hours of work, discourage trade in goods made by forced labour and maintain labour protections in designated export zones as a condition of membership.

MALAYSIA:::Minimum wage must meet living wage standards.

The Budget 2016 proposal for an increase in the minimum wage from RM900 to RM1,000 in Peninsular Malaysia and from RM800 to RM900 for Sabah and Sarawak has deservedly been roundly condemned for its inadequacy by the secretary-general of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), N. Gopal Kishnam.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

INDONESIA:::Said Iqbal Resmi Dilantik Sebagai Governing Body ILO

Senin, 2 Nopember 2015 menjadi hari yang bersejarah bagi buruh Indonesia di kancah dunia Internasional. Hari itu, tepat pada pukul 10 waktu Geneva, Switzerland, seorang tokoh gerakan serikat buruh asal Indonesia resmi dilantik sebagai salah satu Pengurus Pusat International Labour Organization (Governing Body ILO) dalam sidang Governing Body ILO ke-325.
Dia, tokoh gerakan serikat buruh asal Indonesia itu adalah Presiden Konfederasi Serikat Pekerja Indonesia (KSPI) yang juga menjadi Presiden Federasi Serikat Pekerja Metal Indonesia (FSPMI), Said Iqbal.

Monday, November 2, 2015

VIETNAM:::Malaysia couple who abused maid to hang

A Malaysian couple was sentenced to death on Friday for the 2012 murder of their Cambodian maid, whom they had starved and abused.
Chew Tong, 46, and his wife Chin Chui Ling, 43, were sentenced by the Court of Appeal to death by hanging for murdering 23-year-old Mey Sichan from Kampong Thom province.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Selamatkan Upah Buruh Indonesia

Selamatkan Upah Buruh Indonesia
sign this petition
click link >>https://www.change.org/p/jokowidodo-hanifdakhiri-hanifdakhiri-jokowi-selamatkan-upah-buruh-indonesia?recruiter=28698133&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
Baru-baru ini, Presiden Jokowi menandatangani Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 78 Tahun 2015 tentang Pengupahan. Kami buruh Indonesia tegas menolak Peraturan Pemerintah tersebut.

PENAMBAHBAIKAN KAEDAH PEMBERIAN PERGERAKAN GAJI TAHUNAN DALAM PELAKSANAAN JADUAL GAJI MINIMUM - MAKSIMUM JABATAN PERKHIDMATAN AWAM MALAYSIA


Wednesday, October 28, 2015

MALAYSIA:::Invest Penang says no massive lay-offs despite M&As

PENANG: There is no massive retrenchment exercise in Penang despite various industries and businesses entering into mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities, said the Director of Invest Penang, Datuk Lee Kah Choon.

He said on Tuesday M&As are commonly carried out, not only to consolidate operations, but also for reasons such as to increase market share and technology synergies.

He also confirmed that five major multinational companies (MNC) are entering into M&As, but there is no massive retrenchment exercise to follow.

MALAYSIA:::518 foreign workers deaths at construction site since 2006

A total of 518 foreign workers’ death were reported at the construction sector since 2006, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib said according to statistics recorded until Sept 30, nationality with the highest deaths were Bangladesh (216) and Indonesia (64). "This figure only covers foreign workers at construction sector. There are about 1.9 million legal foreign workers in various sectors in Malaysia,"

MALAYSIA:::Graduan kumpulan paling banyak menganggur

Lepasan pengajian tinggi paling banyak menganggur di negara ini berbanding pihak yang hanya mendapat pendidikan menengah dan rendah.
Malah, berbanding dengan kumpulan tiada pendidikan rasmi pun, graduan universiti masih ketinggalan daripada aspek pekerjaan.
Menurut statistik pada separuh tahun pertama 2015, sebanyak 3.8 peratus graduan menganggur di negara itu.

MALAYSIA:::Orang ramai kerumun parlimen bantah TPPA

Lebih daripada seratus orang awam dan aktivis hari ini berhimpun di luar pintu bangunan parlimen bagi membantah Perjanjian Perkongsian Trans-Pasifik (TPPA).
Mereka melaungkan slogan "jangan jual negara kita” serta mempamerkan kain rentang bantahan.
Peserta mula berkumpul di kawasan Tugu Negara pada pukul 10 pagi lalu berarak ke bangunan Parlimen pada pukul 10.30 pagi.
Namun, apabila mendekati jalan utama di luar b

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

INDONESIA:::Tolak Formulasi Pengupahan, Buruh Akan Gelar Demo Besar

 Ribuan buruh dari berbagai federasi yang tergabung dalam Komite Aksi Upah (KAU) akan berdemonstrasi menolak rancangan peraturan pemerintah tentang formulasi pengupahan. Demonstrasi akan dilakukan sampai formulasi pengupahan itu dibatalkan.

Presiden KSPI Said Iqbal mengatakan, demonstrasi dimulai sejak tanggal 27 Oktober 2015. Lokasi demonstrasi yang dipilih adalah di depan Istana Merdeka, Jakarta. 

"Puncaknya tanggal 30 Oktober, kita akan bertahan, melawan, sampai RPP Pengupahan dibatalkan," kata Said, saat menggelar konferensi pers, di Gedung LBH Jakarta, Senin (26/10/2015). 

Monday, October 26, 2015

INDONESIA:::Strikes and Struggle of the Indonesian Working Class

Union Busting at Honda: State & Company in Partnership



In April 2015, more than 3000 workers employed at the Honda Prospect Motor plant in Karawang, Indonesia held a mass meeting to declare the establishment of their union, SERBUK HPM. However, five of the union’s leaders have now been suspended by Honda in a classic case of union busting. The workers are fighting both the government and company for union recognition.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

MALAYSIA:::Pelarasan gaji minimum wajar sama rata

Pekerja swasta Sarawak, Sabah hadapi kos lebih tinggi berbanding Semenanjung
// Oleh Jessica Jawing //
KUCHING: Peningkatan gaji minimum pekerja swasta di Sarawak dan Sabah sewajarnya sama rata dengan pekerja di Semenanjung Malaysia memandangkan kos barangan dan perkhidmatan di kedua-dua negeri itu lebih mahal.
Walaupun pengumuman kenaikan gaji minimum iaitu dari RM800 sebelum ini kepada RM920 kepada pekerja swasta Sabah dan Sarawak dalam Bajet 2016 bertepatan tetapi beberapa aspek harus diambil kira.

MALAYSIA:::MTUC: Budget’s minimum wage too little for now

In 2012, the Malaysian Trades’ Union Congress (MTUC) urged the government to fix the minimum wage ceiling rate at RM1,200 a month for private sector employees.

Three years later, the Budget 2016 has only revealed a meagre increase, not taking into account the fact that the cost of living has increased. 

The Budget 2016 that was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Friday had a minimum wage increase for private sector workers in the peninsula from RM900 to RM1,000, and from RM800 to RM920 for those in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

MALAYSIA:::It’s the government’s responsibility, says MTUC over proposed retrenchment fund.

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has raised concern over Putrajaya's plan to set up an Employment Insurance Scheme (EIS), saying it does not offer sufficient returns or protection for majority of the workforce. MTUC council member S. Somahsundram said under the scheme, workers could be in a worse situation. Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib said last month that the government would announce its decision on the proposed EIS soon.

The scheme was announced last year during Budget 2015, to give temporary financial assistance, reskilling and upskilling for retrenched workers.

Friday, October 23, 2015

MALAYSIA:::MTUC slams Budget 2016 over minimum wage hike for private sector

The Malaysian Trades' Union Congress (MTUC) has expressed disappointment with the government over the new minimum wage increase for private sector employees as proposed under Budget 2016.
Its secretary-general, N. Gopal Kishnam, said he expected a RM1,200 minimum wage, similar to the rate for public sector workers.
“We are extremely disappointed with the announcement due to the increase in living cost nationwide,” he told The Malaysian Insider in an immediate reaction after the tabling of the budget in Parliament today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the minimum wage increase for private sector workers in the peninsula from RM900 to RM1,000, and from RM800 to RM920 for those in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. 

Thursday, October 15, 2015

MALAYSIA:::MTUC BANTAH KENAIKAN HARGA TOL SECARA DRASTIK

MTUC membantah sekeras-kerasnya kenaikan drastik 17-80% harga tol yang diumumkan oleh syarikat konsesi  pada 17 lebuh raya sekitar Lembah Klang dan Terowong SMART serta lebuhraya Senai-Desaru di Johor mulai 15hb Oktober 2015 amat tidak adil dan tidak wajar. Keadaan rakyat yang sedang berhempas pulas terus berhadapan dengan gelombang kos sara hidup yang cukup dahsyat pada ketika ini.

Kenyataan Kementerian Kerja Raya dalam kenyataannya, berkata kerajaan tidak berhasrat membebankan rakyat dengan kadar tol yang tinggi, sebaliknya kadar dikenakan mengalami ‘gradual increment’ sepanjang tempoh konsesi dan pampasan perlu dibayar mengikut peruntukkan dalam perjanjian.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

MALAYSIA:::20 Bekas Kakitangan Naza Buat Aduan Di Pejabat Perhubungan Perusahaan

 Dua puluh orang daripada 255 bekas kakitangan Naza AutoMotive Manufacturing Sdn Bhd hari ini membuat aduan di pejabat Perhubungan Perusahaan negeri di sini atas dakwaan syarikat itu tidak mematuhi beberapa perkara dalam Perjanjian Bersama 2014-2017.

Kumpulan itu diketuai bekas Naib Yang Dipertua Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Naza (PEKENA), Mohammad Hanif Azmi.

Mohammad Hanif mendakwa, syarikat itu tidak mematuhi Artikel 10 perjanjian dan antaranya pihak kesatuan tidak dipanggil untuk berbincang tentang pengurangan pekerja, sebaliknya diberi notis pemberhentian kerja dalam tempoh 24 jam.

MALAYSIA:::Dr Mahathir brands TPP ‘a bad agreement’





The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a “very bad” agreement, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who expressed worries that the deal would affect the competitiveness of Malaysian companies. The former prime minister said the trade deal would result in local companies having to compete with international outfits with decades of experience and operations. “Under TPP, you cannot discriminate, so if there is a tender process, it has to be opened to everyone.


“Malaysian companies are not as strong as foreign companies and if a foreign company suffer losses here, it can still make profit from other places whereas this is not the case for Malaysian companies.


source:::https://www.youtube.com

 “So we can’t compete and our  policies to uplift our industries will be affected. “TPP is a very bad agreement,” he said in a brief question and answer session at the “Impact of economic issues on Malaysian workers” forum by the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE)

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

MTUC HQ LABOUR BULLETIN SEPT 2015



MALAYSIA:::Medical fraternity remains anxious over TPPA

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is anxious over the impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) on healthcare services in Malaysia.
MMA president Datuk Dr N.K.S. Tharmaseelan (picture) said an agreement could see the potential increase in the cost of medicines and healthcare services.
“Many countries now use generic drugs to treat diseases as effectively as patent drugs. This has brought down the cost of medication and health care,” said Dr Tharmaseelan.
“But with the TPPA, intellectual property provisions could be an issue as the production and importation of generic drugs will be deemed illegal until a certain period.”
He added the liberalisation of the healthcare service sector would also send “costs of healthcare spiralling upwards”.
“Managed care organisations (MCO) and health maintenance organisations (HMO) are third parties who act as intermediaries between doctors, patients and hospitals. The rising number of complaints cannot be acted upon due to the lack of appropriate Acts to regulate these third party administrators in Malaysia.

ILO seeks to ‘eradicate child labour’ in Myanmar

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is planning to eradicate child labour in Myanmar by running a pilot project in 2016, according to a press release issued on October 3.
The four-year model pilot project will be implemented in three areas - Yangon, Ayeyarwady regions and Mon state, focusing on over 3,600 children and their family members.

MALAYSIA:::MTUC calls for six-hour work day

The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has called on the government to implement six-hour work day, citing the health of employees as a reason.

MTUC president Mohd Khalid Atan told daily Harian Metro that the body has always been championing for lesser working hours, from the current 48 hours per week to 40 hours.

He cited Sweden as one of the countries which had reduced its working hours from eight hours to six per day.

Friday, October 2, 2015

MALAYSIA:::Economic and political issues need resolution


The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) is concerned about the ongoing economic and political issues the country has been facing in recent times. With the ringgit depreciating against major currencies, the cost of imports have gone up and as a direct consequence of this there has been a further rise in the cost of living.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

MALAYSIA:::Use Mamak Stall Index to measure real inflation



“The economic figures used such as inflation and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) does not reflect the real rise in the cost of living,” says MTUC

The MTUC would like to invite the Minister of Human Resources and his officers to discuss workers’ issues in the country in view of the deteriorating economic conditions in the country. “There’s also a need to handle the political and economic issues that are fast dragging the country down.”

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

MALAYSIA:::Zeti gesa tangani persepsi buruk selepas penarafan ‘status sampah’ pelabur

Gabenor Bank Negara Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz hari ini menggesa pihak bertanggungjawab supaya menangani persepsi buruk yang diterima negara selepas penarafan "status sampah" (junk status) oleh pelabur yang menyamakan Malaysia setaraf Brazil.
Katanya, langkah yang sama seperti ketika negara berdepan krisis kewangan Asia pada 1998 perlu dilakukan apabila menjelaskan mengenai keadaan sebenar negara kepada pelabur.

ILO:::300 million elderly not receiving long-term care

GENEVA: More than half the world’s elderly lack access to long-term care, the International Labour Organization said in a report Monday, condemning the “deplorable” situation facing a rapidly ageing population.
A new report from the UN agency showed that some 300 million people over the age of 65 cannot easily access long-term care when needed.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

MALAYSIA:::MTUC proposes unrecorded leave for workers suffering from haze

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has urged private sector employers to consider granting unrecorded leave to employees who have been affected by the haze until the air quality improves.    
MTUC deputy secretary-general A. Balasubramaniam said this was one way of easing the difficulties faced by workers due to the worsening haze situation. 
“Private sector employers should be lenient enough to grant unrecorded leave for their employees at a time when the haze situation is worsening. 

Saturday, September 26, 2015

MALAYSIA:::ETC systems causing loss of employment for workers

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) is disappointed with the loss of jobs for workers at toll booths, by reason of automation or the ‘electronic toll collection’ (ETC) system. Many local workers, especially women workers, have lost their jobs by this move by highway toll operators. The Malaysian government failed to protect employment of workers, when these companies choose to do away with human workers in favour of automation.

MALAYSIA:::Why skilled foreign workers not priority

: It is not possible to hire skilled foreign workers for now because Malaysia has not recognised skills certificates from source countries for such workers.
Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan said this in response to a statement by Deputy Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib on Friday advising employers to hire trained and skilled registered foreign workers to prevent the risk of accidenyts at the workplace.

MALAYSIA:::Kesatuan sekerja penting untuk kejayaan syarikat

Profesor Dr Balakrishnan Parasuraman dari Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) melancarkan buku kajiannya bertajuk ‘Employee Participation in Malaysia: Theory and Practices’ buat julung kalinya di Sabah.
Balakrishnan berkata, buku yang dilancarkan itu adalah sebahagian daripada tesis yang dilakukannya ketika di Universiti Wollongog Australia dan kemudian diterbitkan oleh UMK Press.
“Buku ini adalah berkenaan peranan kesatuan pekerja dan majikan serta proses pembuat keputusan yang mana terdapat tiga kajian kes dilakukan, iaitu dua kes berkenaan kesatuan sekerja dan satu kes berkenaan tiada kesatuan.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Malaysia labouring for workers’ rights

MALAYSIA has been a member of the International Labour Organisation for 58 years now since Sept 11, 1957. What does this mean to our workers? The core principles of ILO are highlighted by the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, adopted in 1998. Since these principles are the core standards pursued by ILO, member countries like Malaysia are obliged to adopt and implement these principles for their workforce,

Monday, September 7, 2015

Indonesian workers start campaign for better minimum wage

On the first day of September, tens of thousands of workers took to the streets of the Indonesian capital of Jakarta demanding better labour laws and a new minimum wage for 2016. This demonstration was jointly co-ordinated by the three main union Federations in Indonesia. With the ongoing scourge of casualisation, increasing lay offs due to a slowing economy, and persistent high rates of poverty, unions are also demanding that the government undertakes job creation programs. Experience from previous campaigns, would show Indonesian workers face difficult months ahead in trying to achieve their objectives.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

MALAYSIA:::Millions strike in India over 'anti-labour' reforms

Millions of workers across India went on strike Wednesday in protest at planned labour law reforms, the biggest show of strength by trade unions since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office.
They say labour reforms planned by Modi's government will put jobs at risk, and are demanding it scrap changes that would make it easier to lay off workers and shut down unproductive factories.
All India Trade Union Congress secretary Gurudas Dasgupta said the response had been "magnificent" and estimated over 150 million workers participated in the strike, although this could not be independently confirmed.

MALAYSIA:::Malaysia's RHB says it offers voluntary exit scheme to employees

* Valid from Sept 2 to Sept 23, 2015-RHB
* RHB has almost 18,000 employees company-wide
* Did not say how many employees it expects to take up the offer (Add context, quotes)

Monday, August 31, 2015

Right To Participate In Peaceful Assemblies Is Constitutionally Guaranteed Right Of Workers – Employers Should Never Deny Workers Our Rights and Freedoms

Article 10 of the Federal Constitution guarantees the rights of every citizen to freedom of speech, expression, assembly and to form association. The Government of Malaysia is entrusted with the responsibilities to ensure that these fundamental rights are in no way compromised.
Workers, including those in the public sector, are human beings, and have the right and freedom to actively participate in political, socio-economic and cultural life of the nation. All workers have the right to freedom of expression, opinion and to participate in peaceful assembly.

Friday, August 28, 2015

MALAYSIA:::Carmaker Naza lays off 300 at Kedah plant

Three hundred workers today lost their jobs at the Naza plant in Kedah that assembles Peugeot and Kia cars as poor car sales begin biting the country's auto industry.
Car sales nationwide slipped in July to 58,646 units from 60,269 units in the same month last year, according to statistics from the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).
From January to July this year, the total sale of vehicles was 380,830 units down from 393,425 units in the corresponding period last year.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Qatar Airways relaxes female cabin crew pregnancy rules


Under the new policies, female flight attendants who become pregnant are now offered temporary ground jobs.
"This is really about making sure we attract and retain the best talent," said a spokesperson for the Doha-based airline.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) had criticised Qatar Airways for itstreatment of its female cabin crew.

MALAYSIA:::KETAHUILAH HAK ANDA APABILA DIBERHENTIKAN / DITAHAN POLIS

A.) Apabila Diberhentikan Polis :
1. Jika mereka TIDAK MEMAKAI UNIFORM - Minta pengenalan diri mereka. Katakan, "Sila tunjukkan kad kuasa polis anda. "
2. Jenis & warna kad kuasa polis
MERAH : Pegawai polis yang digantung tugas. Beliau tiada kuasa untuk melakukan apa2 terhadap anda. Anda boleh tinggalkan mereka dan jangan dilayan.
BIRU : Berpangkat Inspektor dan ke atas
KUNING : Anggota lain2 pangkat dari Konstabel lebih rendah dari Inspektor
PUTIH : Polis simpanan
3. Jika POLIS BERUNIFORM : Ambil dan rekod nama dan nombor ID pada pakaian seragam mereka.
4. Jika mereka menaiki kereta/motosikal peronda polis : Ambil dan rekod nombor pendaftaran kereta/motosikal poranda berkenaan.

Electronics Industry Pilots Factory Worker Protection Program in Malaysia

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 26 /CSRwire/ - The Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), a nonprofit coalition of leading electronics companies dedicated to supply chain responsibility, today announced the launch of a foreign migrant worker protection pilot program that aims to improve communications in electronics factories by providing workers with more effective ways to report issues related to social, environmental and ethical responsibility. The name of the program is Suara Kita, which is Malay for "Our Voice."

MALAYSIA:::300 pekerja Naza Automotive diberhentikan

Kira-kira 300 pekerja syarikat pengeluar kereta Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM) Sdn Bhd diberhentikan kerja hari ini selepas jualan kenderaan jatuh tahun ini sejak pengenalan Cukai Barang dan Perkhidmatan (GST) pada April lalu.
Pemberhentian tersebut melibatkan 255 kakitangan, 30 Jawatankuasa NAM dan selebihnya kakitangan pentadbiran.
Kesemua kakitangan yang diberhentikan itu diraikan dalam satu majlis perpisahan yang diadakan di Dewan Seri Zaleha di Gurun Kedah.

MALAYSIA:::Pengambilan pekerja asing melalui khidmat atas talian

PUTRAJAYA: Khidmat orang tengah atau "agen" mungkin tidak diperlukan tidak lama lagi dengan pelaksanaan sistem pengambilan pekerja asing secara atas talian, kelak.

Ia antara tiga syarat baharu yang digariskan ke atas majikan dalam pengambilan pekerja asing ke negara ini kecuali pembantu rumah yang masih menggunakan khidmat agen.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

MALAYSIA:::MTUC urges gov’t to freeze GST for sake of the people

Its vice-president says the weakening ringgit coupled with wage suppression is taking a heavy toll on those from the lower income bracket.
PETALING JAYA: The government must step in immediately to ease the heavy burden of those from the lower income bracket who are reeling from the effects of the weak ringgit and wage suppression by freezing the Goods and Services Tax (GST), said J Solomon in his capacity as vice president of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Industrial Court Award:::AWARD NO. 496 TAHUN 2015 Dismissal / Salah-Laku - Merokok di tempat yang tidak dibenarkan.

PAMPASAN GANTIAN PENGEMBALIAN KEDUDUKAN JAWATAN (COMPENSATION IN LIEU OF REINSTATEMENT) 

 Adalah menjadi amalan Mahkamah untuk mengawardkan pampasan gantian pengembalian kedudukan jawatan berlandaskan perkiraan sebulan gaji untuk setiap tahun genap perkhidmatan pekerja dengan Syarikat.