MALAYSIA:::MTUC: Heavy job losses amid RM2.6b scandal

The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) today expressed concerned that several scandals plaguing the nation is eroding confidence and causing a flight of investors, leading to unemployment.

“MTUC is deeply concerned about the state of affairs in Malaysia and its impact on workers,” said its secretary-general N Gopal Kishnam.

Among the scandals he said, are the RM2.6 billion deposited into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s personal bank accounts, alleged wrongdoing of state-owned 1MDB, and the apparent interference of investigations into these scandals.

“All these, including the falling Malaysian ringgit which MTUC believes is also because of the above, may have a negative impact on workers,” he said in a statement today.

Gopal (photo) said businesses seek a clean and corruption-free government, effective legal mechanisms and proper enforcement as reasons to remain in Malaysia.

He pointed out that already, several companies have withdrawn from Malaysia or are planning to do so, leading to thousands of workers losing their jobs.

“Of late, there has been news that many factories, like JVCKenwood Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Ansell Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc have closed down, or will be closing down, which will leave thousands of workers unemployed,” said Gopal.

This, he said is on top of 1,891 MTUC members working for CIMB Group in Malaysia set to lose their jobs after August 31 in a downsizing exercise and 6,000 employees being laid off at Malaysia Airlines which is facing financial difficulties.

“MTUC believes that there are many more workers in Malaysia who are out of employment, and that many more will lose their jobs in the near future,” he said.

As such, Gopal urged the government to institute mitigation measures such as emergency financial assistance to workers who have lost their jobs, as well as increasing the minimum wage and cost of living allowances for all workers.

“We need legally provided protection and rights to assist workers in such difficult times,” he said.

However, more importantly, Gopal said public confidence in the government must be restored.

“It is of utmost importance for our prime minister and our government to restore public confidence, which would naturally include independent transparent investigations and due process of law. No one is above the law.

“Public perception and confidence that Malaysia has a corruption-free prime minister and government, and that Malaysia believes in justice, is what we need for the welfare and wellbeing of the about 12 million workers and their families,” he said.

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