Submitted by Najiah on Saturday, April 30th, 2011
Bernama
Saturday, April 30th, 2011 18:47:00
KUALA LUMPUR: Workers in the country are hoping for nothing less than a happy news and an announcement in the form of financial incentives for them from the government in conjunction with the Worker’s Day.
That is their wish and desire from the government when celebrating the Workers' Day, tomorrow.
Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Mohd Khalid Atan said the workers were intensely expecting for that kind of announcement.
Thus, he hoped the government would be able to declare something good on the Workers' Day celebration this time, as such an incentive was seen as the driving force for the workers to be more productive and dedicated.
"I hope the government is able to draw up the minimum salary policy, particularly for workers in the private sector. I feel the demand for minimum salary is relevant now as prices of goods have increased and the cost of living is high," he told Bernama, here.
Besides, he hoped the government would consider giving cost-of-living allowances and extending the 90-day maternity leave to workers in the private sector.
Mohd Khalid said paying of COLA (cost of living allowance) and giving 90 days of maternity leave should involve all workers whether in the public or private sectors as they were also directly affected.
"The increase in cost of living involves everybody, not only the public sector workers, so by giving COLA to private sector workers, it will ease their burden," he said.
Mohd Khalid also wanted the government to be sensitive and take a serious view on the influx of foreign workers in the country.
He said the government had to create a mechanism to control the inflow of foreign workers like having the statistics on the number of foreign workers required by the nation.
"The entry of so many foreign workers will affect the country's economy, in addition to reducing employment opportunities for the locals. I hope the government will formulate a policy on foreign workers and if necessary the present 277 foreign workers agents should be reduced," he said.
Meanwhile, the president of the National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP), Hashim Adnan, who also expressed similar views, hoped the government would make a favourable announcement on salaries and allowances on the Workers' Day.
"I hope there will be a financial announcement for the public as well as private sector workers. It doesn't matter whether in the form of allowances or salaries," he said.
The Workers' Day celebration with the theme "Workers To Realise The Country's Transformation" will be held at the Bukit Jalil Stadium Putra on May 7, to be officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/71006-trade-union-hopes-happy-news-labour-day
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