Friday, January 16, 2015

MALAYSIA:::MTUC raps Taib-linked firm for 'union-busting'


The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has expressed shock and disgust with the conduct of Cahaya Mata Sarawak (CMS) Cement Sdn Bhd, a public-listed company linked to the family of Sarawak Yang diPertua and former chief minister Taib Mahmud, towards the company's in-house trade union.

MALAYSIA:::Malaysia reveals biometric smartcard for foreign workers

Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs has revealed plans to issue a biometric identification card to more than two million foreign workers to make it easier for local authorities to track down illegal immigrants.
Home Minister Zahid Hamidi said, the “i-Kad”, which will be color-coded according to a an employee’s sector of work, will be embedded with a chip containing the his or her employment details and biometric thumbprint. In addition, the card will also feature a barcode that will allow enforcement officers to quickly assess a worker’s detail by scanning the card using their smartphones.

MALAYSIA:::Employers’ group defends migrant workers against crime stigma

The Malaysian Employers Federation today dismissed the perception that foreigners were the main causes of vice in the country. – The Malaysian Insider pic, December 19, 2014.
Contrary to public perception, foreigners are not actually involved in the majority of crimes in the country, said the Malaysian Employers Federation.
MEF president Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan said official figures provided by the police last year showed that only 7% of crimes in Malaysia were committed by foreigners.
"Malaysians like to blame all crimes on foreign workers and this perception is created largely due to media reports," Shamsuddin told reporters today at MEF's launch of a guidelines for employers on migrant workers.

Turkey - thousands of metalworkers to strike on 29 January

IndustriALL's affiliate United Metalworkers’ Union (Birlesik Metal-Is) today announced a strike in the metal industry for 29 January. The strike will cover around 15,000 workers in some 40 companies in Turkey.

Birlesik Metal-Is has taken the decision after sectorial level negotiations with the Turkish Metal Employers’ Federation (MESS) failed. Offers made were found unacceptable at union mass meetings. The strike decision covers multinational companies such as Schneider, Alstöm, Mahle, Aperam, ABB, Bosal, Bekaert, Delphi Automotive, Federal Mogul, Prysmian, Isuzu.
In its charter at the beginning of the negotiations, Birlesik Metal-Is demanded additional improvement for those with lower wages and newcomers. MESS refused this critical demand and insisted on a three-year agreement which is traditionally for two-year periods. Birlesik Metal-Is found this impossible since the Turkish economy shows instability and a long-term deal would lessen the purchasing power of the members.