Tuesday, September 24, 2019

ACID SPILLAGE IN PENANG FACTORY

PRESS RELEASE - ACID SPILLAGE IN PENANG FACTORY

MTUC Penang is gravely concerned with  the spillage of the corrosive nitric acid in a factory in the Bayan Lepas industrial zone, Penang as reported.

The underlying principle, of the Occupational Health And Safety Act, 1994, is premised on the concept of self regulation by employers in ensuring a safe work-place for its workers. And that includes regulations on the storage, marking and safe handling of corrosive materials.

From what we gather there, apparently, was a leakage in an old drum containing the said acid. If that be the truth it woul seem that the employer concerned was negligent in the proper storage of the said corrosive material that resulted in the worker involved sustaining corrosive burns to his hands.

Least we are accussed of mis-representation of the issue we call upon the Department Of Occupational And Safety (DOSH) to investigate the said incident. And, if it is so ascertained that the employer was, indeed, culpable in the matter appropriate course of punitive action be instituted against the employer.

In conclusion MTUC Penang Division wishes to extend its appreciation to the fire department's HAMZAT team for its timely response in containing the said spillage before it escalated.


K.Veeriah
Secretary MTUC Penang Division
016 4184520


24.9.2019

- SHOOTING DEATH OF WORKER BY POLICE

PRESS STATEMENT - SHOOTING DEATH OF WORKER BY POLICE

MTUC Penang Division is shocked that a worker was shoot death, in the B.Braun factory in the Bayan Baru Industrial Zone, Penang by the police.

To the best of our knowledge such an incident has not occurred in Penang, or anywhere else for the matter.

Though we do not have full knowledge, of the circumstances leading to the fatal shooting of the victim, what concerns us is whether the unfortunate loss of a worker's life could have been avoided. What we want to know is whether the police officers involved ought to have acted in a manner to "nuterliase" the victim as opposed to shooting him death.

We, therefore, call upon the Inspector General Of Police to initiate a full commission of inquiry in the matter. We  also call upon the Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) to commence an inquest in the matter as we believe such an inquiry/inquest would establish the fact  as to whether the police personnels involved had acted within their standard operation procedures or otherwise.

As we are given to understand the worker victim had re-acted because he had been dismissed by the company, B.Braun, an investor from Germany. Thus, it is our view that an inquest, by SUHAKAM, ought to also investigate the fairness of the victim's dismissal as well as the response of the police in the matter.

K.Veeriah
Secretary MTUC Penang Division
016 4184520
23.9.2019


Friday, September 6, 2019

Landmark High Court decision against Malaysia Airlines empowers union leaders

Landmark High Court decision against Malaysia Airlines empowers union leaders: Judge Nordin Hassan orders MAS to pay compensation to Ismail Nasarudin for unlawful dismissal, saying it is all right for union leaders to issue press statements on workers’ plight.

HIDDEN COST OF AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP IN PENANG

PRESS RELEASE - HIDDEN COST OF AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP IN PENANG

MTUC Penang Division finds it completely unacceptable that the Penang state government has abdicated its moral responsibility in ensuring that developers, of low-cost and affordable homes, do not expliot the low and middle income wage earners by allowing such developers to coerce them to pay for add-ons.

On this score we wish to salute the Consumer Association Of Penang (CAP) for exposing the state of affairs.

Going by house buyers testimony, that they were made to fork out between RM120,000 to RM180,000 for their low-cost homes on account of the developers add ons, is nothing but day light robbery irrregardless of whether it was for a purchase of a parking lot or tilling work. In anycase the situation seems to indicate that the house buyers were left with no option to say that they do not need the such add ons.

As the testimony, of a RM42,000 house buyer stands, she was made to withdraw her entire savings to meet an additional payment of almost RM70,000 for a parking lot and a renovation package. This,  as we understand it, is explained by the Penang state government as an arrangement between the house buyer and the developer - a position that would seem acceptable except for the  question of where is the government's moral compass on ensuring the low and middle income wage earners protection to home ownership within the parameters so set by them! If a cost of a low cost house is RM42,000 or RM72,000  than it ought to be that and no developer should be permitted to impose any add ons. And, in our view, that responsibility falls on the shoulders of the state.

We, therefore, call upon the Penang state government to take a comprehensive review of the state of affairs with the objective to ensure that house buyers are protected from unscroplous developers. On this score we would implore the Penang state government to heed the CAP's views/input on the matter.


K.VEERIAH
Secretary
MTUC Penang Division
016 4184520
5.9.2019