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