Saturday, December 25, 2021

A Tribute To The Late Puan Nurashikin, The Former President Of The Transport Workers Union (the TWU).


 A Tribute To The Late Puan Nurashikin, The Former President Of The Transport Workers Union (the TWU).

In the morning of 24.12.2021 I was informed of the demise of Puan Nurashikin the former President of the Transport Workers Union. She was 89 years old. She is survived by relatives and friends -  her husband and only son having returned to God's abode in 2006 and 2009, respectively.

I am sure many of you are wondering who she was and why she is deserving of a tribute. 

She was a ticket conductor working with a bus company in Penang when she became involved with the Transport Workers Union which was, then, helmed by V. David and Zainal Rampak. From the humble job, of a ticket conductor, she ascended to the top position of the national President of the Transport Workers Union sometime in the 1970's.

That was a remarkable feat considering the fact that the transportation sector was male dominated. To the best of my knowledge she was the first, and only woman, to have been elected to the office of the President of a national trade union then. 

She was a down-to-earth person liked by all who had the privilege to have known her. She was, fondly, addressed as "Kak Nurashikin" as she had that sisterly, even a motherly, disposition. But, beneath that appearance there was this straight talking, blunt, frank and a I don't care the less approach in addressing issues concerning the welfare of the workers. She spoke from her heart without sugar coating issues confronting the workers. 

I, for one, had the good fortune to have known her since 1978 when I first started my full-time trade union work. Though she was the national President, of the TWU, she elected not to uproot herself to Kuala Lumpur but to function from a small office in Bishop Street, Penang together with the union's Industrial Relations Officer, the late Bro. V. Gopal. 

To almost all of us newbies in the movement, then, that office was our "port" on our learning curve. And, never once, were we made to feel unwelcomed there! 

Kakak was actively involved in the MTUC Penang Division going on to be elected as the Chairperson of the Division sometime in the 1980's. From recollection she was the first woman to lead a Division of the MTUC then. 

 Even after her retirement, her heart was still with the workers movement. She was a true unsung hero of the workers struggle. To her family who, stood witness to her immeasurable contributions to the working class struggle, we say thank you, thank you very much for gifting her to the worker's movement. May her soul rest in peace in the arms of God almighty. 

K.  Veeriah

Secretary MTUC Penang  Division 

016 4184520

Friday, December 3, 2021

Societal Transformation - The Need For The Trade Union Movement To Build Bridges With Civil Society Movement And Political Allies.

 Societal Transformation - The Need For The  Trade Union Movement To Build Bridges With Civil Society Movement And Political Allies.


The late trade union icon Dr. V. David once, candidly, told me that to sustain the spirit of the workers struggle burning, the working class must feel hunger in their bellies. In the early 80s I thought that his view was diametrically opposed to the philosophy of the  workers movement. 

Coming from a breed of grass roots leaders, having had the privilege of participating in a 6 month lock-out brought about in an orchestrated ploy to break the union by the company, I believe that I can, now, relate to what Dr. V. David said. 

During the said lock out we were a group of workers deprived of any source of income. Our bellies felt the hunger and our resolve to stand united to fight the injustice heaped upon us grew in strength. The camadararie, regardless of race, religion and culture was cemented in our quest to combat the injustice that we, collectively, were facing. Sadly, that epoch of undivided solidarity has been conscripted to memory. 

Over the decades I have have seen the gradual erosion of the comradeship that so prevailed amongst the workers in the 70s and 80s. Unfortunately, the evils of race centric politics seems to have crept into the trade union movement. That, in my view, is  the "Achilles heel" in the circumstances! 

In the heydays the trade union movement, including the leadership of the MTUC, forged a working relationship with civil society organisations like the Consumer Associate Of Penang (CAP), Friends Of The Earth (SAM), ALIRAN and the Muslim Youth Movement (ABIM). Networking with political parties such as the DAP and PSRM was the norm. Together we called for the emancipation of the people be it workers rights, consumerism, envoirentalism or concerns for socio-economic conditions. We had demanded for draconian, obnoxious policies and laws that infringe on fundamental rights be abolished. Clearly, there was a nexus between the trade union movement, civil society organisations and political parties for changes.

 In any full blooded attempt, to seek a transformation of the working class, the trade union movement cannot isolate itself for the simple reason that transformation of society is a holistic endeavour. The trade union movement cannot do it alone. It has no option but to network with civil society organisations in order to strive for a transformation of the social-economic land-scape of the working population of the country.

Unfortunately,  the trade union leadership, sadly in our country, seems to have adopted a holier than thou attitude in the matter. That, in itself, is a no brainer as history will stand testimony to the fact that changes were never achieved without a well thought out coordinated campaign mounted by all strata of civil society movements in the pursuit for changes. 

Hence, the trade union fraternity has no option but to make their choice - stay isolated and continue to play an ineffective role or reach out to like minded civil society organisations and political parties to endeavour, collectively, to strive for meaningful societal transformation of the predicament of the workers.


Opinion Piece 

K. Veeriah 

24, Jalan Goh Swee Huat 

Taman Bukit 

14000 Buku Mertajam 

016 4184520

3.12.2021

Friday, November 19, 2021

Amendments To The Employment Act, 1955.

 Press Release By MTUC Penang Division -  Amendments To The Employment Act, 1955.


MTUC Penang Division has been given to understand that, in tabling amendments to the Employment Act, 1955 in Parliament, the Human Resources Minister is supposed to have credited it to the need to ratify the Comprehensive And Progressive Agreement For Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade agreement involving 11 countries. 

Without venturing into the convincing arguments, against Malaysia ratifying the said trade pact, what we ask is simply this - isn't it the primary responsibility of our government to embark on a progressive transformation of the employment related eco-system of our working population without the same being dictated by the CPTPP? 

To credit transformation, of our arachic labour legislations to the CPTPP, signals either of two circumstances - firstly, our government has failed to appreciate the sarificies of the workers on it's own accord which, in any case is needless to be contridicated or, secondly, our government, in the overwhelming interest of the business class, is prepared to make concession just so to create an impression that it has the will to confirm with internationally accepted labour standards. In either of the said circumstances it remains true that our government would only deliver, not of their own free will, but when whipped by compelling external forces! 

MTUC Penang Division is of the view that, our Human Resources Ministry ought to adopt a proactive approach in bringing about much needed progressive changes to the prevailing pro capital labour laws. If our government has the political will, to create a vibrant workers movement in the country, it ought to subscribe to the core conventions of internationally accepted labour standards. To amend the labour laws, as dictated by the CPTPP partnership, is not only nonsensical but also an act of abdicating our sovereignty as a nation.


K. Veeriah

Secretary 

Malaysian Trade Union Congress 

Penang Division 

016 4184520

18.11.2021

Monday, November 1, 2021

The EPF Says Only 3% Malaysians Can Afford To Retire On Their EPF Savings!

 The EPF Says Only 3% Malaysians Can Afford To Retire On Their EPF Savings!


EPF's chief strategy officer, Nurhisham Hussein's statement that only 3% of Malaysians can afford to retire on their EPF savings is a wake-up call to the government with regards to the old age financial survival of our working population. 

The truth remains that massive EPF withdrawals, on account of the i-sinar, i-lestari and i-citra withdrawals estimated to be about 70 billion ringgit or more, was the main factor to the said state of affairs.

The financial challenges, brought about by the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, would have warranted the government to provide sustained financial assistance to the people. The government, however, deemed it fit to allocate piece meal financial hand-outs that were, grossly, inadequate to meet the financial obligations of those who had either lost their jobs or had their income reduced by pay cuts.  Whilst defaulting on it's obligations, moral or otherwise, to provide meaningful financial assistance to the people, the government enticed the people to dip into their old age EPF retirement savings to mitigate their financial commitments. Sadly, the folly of the government has, now, morphed to the reality that about 97% of EPF members would not have the privilege of retiring upon attaining the retirement age of 60.

As said by the EPF's officer these group of old age people would need to continue working an extra 4 to 6 years and, as we may add, even longer! As our nation is fast moving towards an ageing population the question that needs to be postulated is the consequences of working beyond the retirement age. 

A study, by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Labour Oraganisation (ILO) has revealed that working long hours is a contributing factor to  work related deaths. Working long hours, and by extension working between 4 to 6 years post retirement, would, inevitably, lead to a deterioration of both physical and mental health of the 60 plus years old workers what more the possibility of death as a consequence therefrom.

Given the reality that the overwhelming number of workers are left with insufficient savings post retirement, we would propose that the government seriously considers an  Old Age Social Protection Scheme. On this score we would propose that a nominal % from taxes collected be set aside into a pension fund or, alternatively, be channelled to the EPF whereof an equitable pension payment scheme be devised to provide for retiring workers. Until such proactive measures are put in place at the soonest, we may stand witness to an ageing population who would neither have sufficient EPF savings post retirement nor an Old Age Social Security network to provide them financial sustenance. 


K. Veeriah

Secretary 

Malaysian Trade Union Congress, Penang

0164184520

31.10.2021

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Why Block Free Covid-19 Vaccine Destined For The People Of Penang?

 Why Block Free Covid-19 Vaccine Destined For The People Of Penang? - 

Press Release By MTUC Penang Division 


When the nation is in the grips of an escalating Covid-19 infection it would have been expected, of the Ministry Of Health, to welcome all available resources in it's battle to arrest the situation. We are, therefore, baffled as to why the federal authorities have deemed it fit to deprive the people of Penang the opportunity to make themselves available of free vaccination courtesy of, as reported, a private company.


As we are given to understand, there is a pressing need to create herd immunity amongst the population and, that, it can only be done so if the vast majority of the people are vaccinated. If that be the case 2 million  available doses of the Sinovac vaccine would be suffice to vaccinate the entire 1.8 million people of Penang. Given the fact that, Penang's population density is amongst the highest in the nation, it would be imperative that a vaccination roll-out programme ought to prioritise the state in the pursuit to create the said herd immunity. 


While we recognise, that, the federal government has constraints, in the roll-out of the national Covid-19 immunisation programme, what we cannot comprehend is why it has found it fit to block the 2 million doses of free vaccination for the people of Penang!


They say that, one should not look a gift horse in the mouth and we believe that it would be an appropriate analogy in the circumstances! Faced with the unprecedented challenges brought forth by the Covid-19 pandemic, it is our view that there is no rhyme or reason for the federal government to deny the people of Penang the opportunity to make themselves available of the vaccination so made available by a generous donor. And, on this score it is our view that the safety and well-being of the people ought to be the utmost consideration regardless of all political inclinations. 


We, therefore, urge the Ministry Of Health and the Perikatan National government not to deny the people of Penang the opportunity to make themselves available of the Covid-19 vaccination.


K. Veeriah 

Secretary 

Malaysian Trade Union Congress 

Penang Division 

016 4184520

18.5.2021


Thursday, April 22, 2021

The Minimum Wage Or Living Wage Conundrum.

 The Minimum Wage Or Living Wage Conundrum.


1. Why Was A Minimum Wage System Introduced By The Government?

When our government introduced the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 (Act 732) it was intended to address the low wages that was prevailing in the country especially so in the private sector. As we would recollect employers were, then, paying very low basic pay not only in the Klang valley but throughout the country. Pursuant to the said Act, the Minimum Wage Order 2012 was introduced wherein a minimum wage of RM900.00 was established.

Thus, the underlying factor, for the government to introduce the Minimum Wage Order, was to mitigate the unfair low wage system that was prevailing in the country. It was a case of government intervention when the employers failed to pay equitable rates of pay, thus, driving wage levels to what was described as the race to the bottom!

Fast forward to 2021 and what we need to ask is whether the minimum wage system is still relevant given the fact that wages, even for degree holders, has been compromised on account of the weak employment labour market.

2. Youth And Graduate Unemployment

Unemployment, among the youth in 2020 terms, is estimated to be 11.72% whereas total unemployment is hovering in the region of about 4.8%. Even more alarming is that, about 70% of jobs seekers were youths according to a report published by the EIS-UPMCS Center For Future Labour Market Studies.

According to a Ministry Of Higher Education survey about 10% of fresh graduates were paid between RM1001 to RM1500.00 a month since 2010. The said survey also found that, in 2020, more graduates fell into the said income bracket reaching a decade high value of 22.3%.

The said statistics, in my view, seems to suggest that low wages, amongst the youth and fresh graduates, has a nexus with the high rate of unemployment among the youth and fresh graduates. With the prevailing economic conditions our youth. and fresh graduates, are forced to accept low wages just to secure a job however incompatible the wage maybe.

Low wages, by any standards, is an indication that our young workers are being exploited on account of the prevailing depressed employment opportunities.

3. Is The Existing Minimum Wage System Still Relevant?

A study, by Bank Negara Malaysia in 2018 has stated that, for a single adult to sustain himself in Kuala Lumpur he would need RM2700.00 a month. The said study has also revealed that a couple without children needs RM4500.00 and a couple with two (2) children would need RM6500.00 a month.

The said study is based on the consideration of what is termed as a "living wage" - "living wage" defined as the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet his basic needs including food, housing and other basic necessities.

On the contrary a minimum wage is so set by the government with the aim of protecting workers against unduly low pay.

Given the 2018 Bank Negara study the truth is that the middle and low income (the B40 and M40) workers are not earning sufficient household income to sustain themselves. As a consequence workers are forced to work excessive hours of work - overtime, work on rest-days, public holidays and even working a second job to supplement their household income.

Working prolonged hours, and by extension enhancing production for employers, results in the deterioration of the workers' physical and mental health.

In my view working prolonged hours of work is as good as modern day slavery wherein, in the absence of a decent sustainable wage for a 8 hour work day, a worker is forced to supplement his income by working excessive overtime, working on rest-days, public holidays and even taking on a second job.

What, therefore, needs to be postulated is whether the existing Minimum Wage system is still relevant under the circumstances.

4. A Living Wage Module As Opposed To A Minimum Wage System.

Professor Yeah Kim Leng from the Sunway University Business School has opined that, given the Bank Negara study 2018, workers will need a side income to make ends meet on a minimum wage of RM1200.00 (FMT 28.10.2019).

It is, therefore, apparent that workers cannot survive on the current system of a minimum wage of RM1200.00 a month.

Given the said reality what that needs to be deliberated is whether there is a need for a paradigm shift from a "minimum wage" system to a "living wage" module.

In my opinion the existing National Minimum Wage Council ought to be re-branded to a "National Living Wage Council" with the absolute power to decide on a "living wage" rate of pay without being subservient to the government.

As no wage system can remain stagnant, a bi-annual revision of the "living wage" as is the existing mechanism in respect of the "minimum wage" ought to continue.

5. Correlation Between The Rate Of Unionisation And Wage Inequality

It is argued, through academic research, that there is a correlation between the rate of unionisation and income inequality - the lower the rate of unionisation, the higher the income inequality.

In Malaysia it is an indisputable fact that the existing labour laws impedes organising efforts by unions.

Take for example the case of the electronics workers. According to international standards the electronics sector is classified under the E&E (electrical & electronic) sub-sector. Going by that internationally accepted classification the existing Electrical Industry Workers Union (EIWU) ought to have been accorded the right to organize the workers in the electronic sector.

If the EIWU had been accorded the right to organise the electronics workers, the chances are that wage inequality could have been addressed, substantially, in that sector that employs thousands of workers.

But the government did not permit the EIWU to organise the electronic workers so as to suppress the numerical strength of the EIWU and, in the process, prepertuate wage inequality in the electronic sector. Ultimately, the government's ploy was to dilute the unionisation of the electronic workers into a regional demography.

It is, thus, obvious that a fundamental flaw, in the country's income inequality, exist in the correlation between the rate of unionisation in the country.

Where unionised workers are covered by collective agreements, which provides for salary adjustments once in three (3) years, an estimated 93% of the unorganised workers are left at the whims of their employers in granting such periodic salary adjustments. And, where unionised employees are entitled to annual salary increments, by virtue of the collective agreements that are in force, 93% of unorganised workers have no legal right to demand such annual increments from their employers.

What then is the challenges in matter?

Until, and unless, laws that curtails organising efforts are removed our trade union movement would continue to function without the strength of numbers. In the absence of laws that would promote a vibrant and progressive labour movement we would continue to function as an ineffective movement to transform the socio-economic position of the working class. Under the circumstances, the trade union movement has to pursue a transformation of the existing repressive labour laws so as to provide a conducive legislative eco-system that would promote unionisation of workers.

6. CUEPACS - Minimum Wage Of RM1800.00 For Civil Servants

An economist, Shankaran Nambiar from the Malaysian Institute Of Economic Research, whilst agreeing that the current minimum wage cannot meet the minimum living standards (of the civil servants) nevertheless was of the view that the government should wait for the economy to improve before raising the minimum wage.

That, proposition, in my view, is devoid of any probative justification for the simple reason that the government is under an obligation to address the income disparity that is already existing so as to ensure that the civil servants are paid an acceptable "living wage". And, by extension, I would argue that a "living wage" should also be implemented for the private sector workers.

In parting I would also argue, that, the government must accord CUEPACS the right to collective bargaining pursuant to ILO Conventions 98 read together with Convention 154. CUEPACS, as the single largest trade union organisation representing civil servants, must be given the right to collectively bargain for and on behalf of the civil servants and not be at the mercy of the government to dictate wages and terms and conditions of employment of the civil servants.

Fundamentally, the right, to collective bargaining, must be accorded to CUEPACS consonant with the guiding Conventions of the ILO.

So, what position should the labour movement take in the circumstances?

7. Conclusion

The challenges are set-out in clear terms.

Firstly, the labour movement has to, relentlessly, pursue a transformation of the embedded pro-employer labour laws. We need to continue our struggle to ensure that the government confirms with the core ILO labour standards such as Convention 87, 98, 154,190 etc.

Secondly, we need to pursue a holistic realignment of the social-economic policies of the government that has given preference to employers which has margainlised both the working class citizens of the country and the trade union movement.

Thirdly, we need to demand that the out-dated Minimum Wage System be re-calibarated to an "living wage" module based on the 2018 Bank Negara study.




Opinion Piece by:-
K. Veeriah
24, Jalan Goh Swee Huat
Taman Bukit
14000 Bukit Mertajam
016 4184520
21.4.2021

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Are We Headed For An Escalation In Job Losses, Pay-cuts, Etc Given The Current MCO? -

 Are We Headed For An Escalation In Job Losses, Pay-cuts, Etc Given The Current MCO? - MTUC Penang Division


Just a few days into the current MCO we have been receiving complaints, of workers being asked to consent to pay-cuts, unpaid leave etc. We are not surprised as we were inundated with such depressing complaints during the initial MCO commencing 18.3.2020.


 Though the government has an inherent responsibility to  ensure that the margainlised segment of society are provided with substantial economic assistant, such abject failure is but a blantant dereliction of its duty. Just look at the RM15 billion Permai package announced by the Prime Minister today. 


Firstly, it lacks depth in providing significant relief to the B40 and M40 citizens. Secondly,  the economic deprivation, of those in the informal sector who constitute the largest segment of society, has not been addressed.  And the fact remains that they stand deprived of relieves on account of not being captured by the data base on which financial aid is distributed such as the Income Tax, EPF, SOCSO etc. 


It is appreciated that the government has extended the wage subsidy scheme to all sectors though how much of a relief it would provide to employers is subjective. As it is the hoteliers are lamenting that their woes have not been considered in the latest Permai package.


It is an indisputable fact that the most margainlised segment of society are being confronted with the inability to make payments on borrowings. Thus, an extended blanket marotorium would have been a timely relief. Sadly, the government has found it appropriate to leave it at the discretion of the financial institutions.


Besides the issues raised herein, what ought to have been a cause for concern, on the part of the government, is not only the increasing rate of unemployment but more so the homeless.


And the fact remains that the jobless, and the homeless, are forced to depend on the kindness of sympathetic organisations and individuals for their next meal. Thus, it was not surprising that thousands converged in Putrajaya just to collect a frozen chicken! In our view this single incident epitomises the dire state of financial stress the people are undergoing. Unfortunately, the plight of the jobless and the homeless has not been addressed by the government.


We, therefore, take the liberty to suggest that the government formulates a comprehensive financial assistance programme encapsulating the needs of, primarily, the jobless, the homeless and those entrapped in the vicious low and middle income trap.



K. Veeriah 

Secretary MTUC Penang Division

016 4184520

18.1.2021