Saturday, November 5, 2011
The Truth of MTUC Nationwide Picket
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MTUC open to talks on amendments
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), which went ahead with its picket to protest the amendments to the Employment Act 1955, says it is still open to discussions with the Human Resources Ministry.
Its president Mohd Khalid Atan said the protests, which took place at 18 locations nationwide, had sent a clear signal that worker groups were against the amendments.
“We are open to discussion, if there is still room for it,” he said during a gathering in Jalan Raja Laut here yesterday.
He said MTUC wanted the ministry to withdraw the recent amendments which revived the contract for labour system whereby workers would not be directly employed by employers, but through a third party.
The amendments would deprive workers of security of tenure, Socso and health benefits as well as the setting up unions, he added.
About 200 people held up banners and chanted “Withdraw the Amendments” and “Long Live Workers”.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, Ipoh Barat DAP MP M. Kulasegaran and PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar also joined them.
In PETALING JAYA, MTUC secretary-general Abdul Halim Mansor has pledged to bring up the matter to international union organisations if the picket failed to change the Government's stance.
“We will speak up until our demands are heard. We will fight for our rights as workers and unionists,” he said.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said the pickets could proceed as long as they did not cause traffic congestion and threaten public safe- ty
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/11/4/nation/9836484&sec=nation
Its president Mohd Khalid Atan said the protests, which took place at 18 locations nationwide, had sent a clear signal that worker groups were against the amendments.
“We are open to discussion, if there is still room for it,” he said during a gathering in Jalan Raja Laut here yesterday.
He said MTUC wanted the ministry to withdraw the recent amendments which revived the contract for labour system whereby workers would not be directly employed by employers, but through a third party.
The amendments would deprive workers of security of tenure, Socso and health benefits as well as the setting up unions, he added.
About 200 people held up banners and chanted “Withdraw the Amendments” and “Long Live Workers”.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, Ipoh Barat DAP MP M. Kulasegaran and PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar also joined them.
In PETALING JAYA, MTUC secretary-general Abdul Halim Mansor has pledged to bring up the matter to international union organisations if the picket failed to change the Government's stance.
“We will speak up until our demands are heard. We will fight for our rights as workers and unionists,” he said.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said the pickets could proceed as long as they did not cause traffic congestion and threaten public safe- ty
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/11/4/nation/9836484&sec=nation
Door open for talks, says MTUC
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress' (MTUC) door for negotiations on the amendments to the Employment Act 1955 is still open.
Its president, Mohd Khalid Atan, expressed hope that the Human Resources Ministry would take into consideration their objection to the amendment.
He said MTUC was particularly unhappy with the appointment of a "contractor for labour", which he said would lead to exploitation.
"That is why we don't want the contractors to be registered as this may seem that the government itself is legalising them."
On its nationwide pickets yesterday, Khalid said it was a success with 4,000 people taking part. He joined about 300 people outside the Employees' Provident Fund building in Jalan Raja Laut.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said yesterday the ministry would have discussions with MTUC to foster better understanding.
Read more: Door open for talks, says MTUC http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/7adc/Article/#ixzz1cqeA1L4d
Its president, Mohd Khalid Atan, expressed hope that the Human Resources Ministry would take into consideration their objection to the amendment.
He said MTUC was particularly unhappy with the appointment of a "contractor for labour", which he said would lead to exploitation.
"That is why we don't want the contractors to be registered as this may seem that the government itself is legalising them."
On its nationwide pickets yesterday, Khalid said it was a success with 4,000 people taking part. He joined about 300 people outside the Employees' Provident Fund building in Jalan Raja Laut.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said yesterday the ministry would have discussions with MTUC to foster better understanding.
Read more: Door open for talks, says MTUC http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/7adc/Article/#ixzz1cqeA1L4d
Poor turnout up at labour laws protest
Athi Shankar and G Vinod
November 3, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR: About 200 Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) members gathered at the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) headquarters today to protest against the recent amendments to the Employment Act.
Among the MTUC affiliates which attended the picket were the National Union of
Banking Employees (NUBE), Malaysian Trade Union Rights Network (PSI) and EPF Employees Union.
However, the turnout is lower than the projection made by MTUC president Khalid Atan, who expected 500 people to show up.
The crowd chanted “Long Live Workers” to the accompaniment of kompang, creating an almost festive-like celebration while police kept watch. Motorists also honked their horns in support.
Also present were DAP stalwarts Lim Kit Siang and M Kulasegaran who were joined by Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) secretary-general S Arutchelvan, PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar and Oppressed People’s Network (Jerit) coordinator E Nalini.
Trade unions alleged that the amendments would further erode workers’ rights in Malaysia.
Last month, Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam tabled the controversial amendments in Parliament despite widespread objection by MTUC and the opposition parties.
The MTUC had organised a peaceful protest against the amendments at the Parliament entrance last month, which was attended by about 100 people.
‘Retract amendments’
Trade unions claimed that the new amendments would absolve employers of any responsibility to their workers as the latter would come under the purview of the recruitment agency.
The MTUC said the amendments would also allow employers to delay overtime payment by a month, which would affect the low-income group.
Later at a press conference, Khalid said the nationwide picketing by the MTUC showed that the trade unions were serious in strongly opposing the amendments.
“We have fought for many years against exploitation of workers but now we have the government legalising it,” he said.
He urged the human resources ministry to retract the amendments and return to the negotiating table with the MTUC.
On the presence of opposition members, Khalid said the gathering was bipartisan and anyone was welcome to join it.
“They (opposition members) said they would give us their support, so we allow them to join us,” he said.
Khalid, however, defended today’s picket, saying it was a success despite the low turn-out.
The crowd dispersed peacefully at 6.30pm.
Fight not over
In PENANG, some 500 braved a heavy downpour to hold a 90-minute peaceful demonstration against the amendments outside the Prai TNB premises in Jalan Baru.
They held up anti-amendment banners, chanted pro-workers’ slogans and demanded that the government repeal the amendments under the watchful eyes of the police.
MTUC state chairman S Ravindran, who led the picket, said MTUC would fight on until the amendments were banished.
“The fight is not over with one picket.
“There are more protests to come until the government abolishes the changes,” he told workers with a loud hailer before dispersing the crowd.
One notable absentee at the picket was Opposition Leader and Permatang Pauh MP Anwar Ibrahim who was said he would show up.
Meanwhile, a former trade union leader today urged the government to amend the Trade Unions Act 1959 to allow unionists to hold top positions in both the trade unions and political parties.
MTUC Penang chapter’s former chairman Abdul Razak Hamid said the government should repeal the prohibition, which was enforced when Section 25 of the Act was amended immediately after 1969 racial riots.
“But the government has been playing a deaf and dumb game until today,” said Abdul Razak, a former MTUC national vice-president.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/11/03/low-turnout-at-labour-laws-protest/
November 3, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR: About 200 Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) members gathered at the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) headquarters today to protest against the recent amendments to the Employment Act.
Among the MTUC affiliates which attended the picket were the National Union of
Banking Employees (NUBE), Malaysian Trade Union Rights Network (PSI) and EPF Employees Union.
However, the turnout is lower than the projection made by MTUC president Khalid Atan, who expected 500 people to show up.
The crowd chanted “Long Live Workers” to the accompaniment of kompang, creating an almost festive-like celebration while police kept watch. Motorists also honked their horns in support.
Also present were DAP stalwarts Lim Kit Siang and M Kulasegaran who were joined by Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) secretary-general S Arutchelvan, PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar and Oppressed People’s Network (Jerit) coordinator E Nalini.
Trade unions alleged that the amendments would further erode workers’ rights in Malaysia.
Last month, Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam tabled the controversial amendments in Parliament despite widespread objection by MTUC and the opposition parties.
The MTUC had organised a peaceful protest against the amendments at the Parliament entrance last month, which was attended by about 100 people.
‘Retract amendments’
Trade unions claimed that the new amendments would absolve employers of any responsibility to their workers as the latter would come under the purview of the recruitment agency.
The MTUC said the amendments would also allow employers to delay overtime payment by a month, which would affect the low-income group.
Later at a press conference, Khalid said the nationwide picketing by the MTUC showed that the trade unions were serious in strongly opposing the amendments.
“We have fought for many years against exploitation of workers but now we have the government legalising it,” he said.
He urged the human resources ministry to retract the amendments and return to the negotiating table with the MTUC.
On the presence of opposition members, Khalid said the gathering was bipartisan and anyone was welcome to join it.
“They (opposition members) said they would give us their support, so we allow them to join us,” he said.
Khalid, however, defended today’s picket, saying it was a success despite the low turn-out.
The crowd dispersed peacefully at 6.30pm.
Fight not over
In PENANG, some 500 braved a heavy downpour to hold a 90-minute peaceful demonstration against the amendments outside the Prai TNB premises in Jalan Baru.
They held up anti-amendment banners, chanted pro-workers’ slogans and demanded that the government repeal the amendments under the watchful eyes of the police.
MTUC state chairman S Ravindran, who led the picket, said MTUC would fight on until the amendments were banished.
“The fight is not over with one picket.
“There are more protests to come until the government abolishes the changes,” he told workers with a loud hailer before dispersing the crowd.
One notable absentee at the picket was Opposition Leader and Permatang Pauh MP Anwar Ibrahim who was said he would show up.
Meanwhile, a former trade union leader today urged the government to amend the Trade Unions Act 1959 to allow unionists to hold top positions in both the trade unions and political parties.
MTUC Penang chapter’s former chairman Abdul Razak Hamid said the government should repeal the prohibition, which was enforced when Section 25 of the Act was amended immediately after 1969 racial riots.
“But the government has been playing a deaf and dumb game until today,” said Abdul Razak, a former MTUC national vice-president.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/11/03/low-turnout-at-labour-laws-protest/
Despite picket, Subra wants talks with MTUC over labour law
UPDATED @ 12:29:17 PM 03-11-2011
By Lisa J. Ariffin
November 03, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) can hold a peaceful protest today over controversial amendments to the Employment Act but Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam hopes the national labour centre is willing to hold talks over the issue.
The MTUC is to hold the protest this evening at 20 places across the country.
“I’ve said from the start that it is their right and in our country, we allow peaceful gatherings that follow regulations. So in that aspect, they will go ahead,” Subramaniam (picture), the human resources minister, told reporters today after the launch of the Malaysian-German conference on education and training here.
“In truth, there is no issue because we want the same thing, only our views are different,” he said.
He hopes discussions can take place after MTUC officials calm down from the protest.
The country’s main labour centre for the private sector has decided to picket nationwide today against amendments which it said were “a return to slavery” as they will give the “green light to investors to hire Malaysians as contract workers instead of permanent staff.”
However, Subramaniam said there was no issue as both parties share a common agenda.
“The reason is the same. We want to protect the workers, they also want worker protection, only interpretation varies,” he said.
“So if there’s understanding from both parties, then it’ll be easier,” he added.
He said “we will hold discussions on how we can achieve the same view on the issue” but did not specify when the meeting would be held.
“It’s a containing process, let them finish all this and calm down, then we’ll meet again,” he said.
The MTUC, an umbrella body comprising 390 labour unions with a total of 802,323 members, has said it is “non-partisan, but our battle will have to go on” against amendments to the Employment Act that were approved by Parliament on October 6.
Labour unions have accused the government of bringing back “slave-like” conditions with the amendments which, they said, erode protection for workers. One of the changes includes the registration of third-party labour suppliers.
Subramaniam has repeatedly defended the move as one that protects workers.
He insisted the government needs to register all third-party labour suppliers so that it can take action against any mistreatment of outsourced labour.
The MIC deputy president also said employers can take action against union members for getting involved in picketing against the amendments to the labour laws.
The MTUC had first protested against the amendments on October 3, drawing hundreds of workers to the gates of Parliament.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tabled his Budget 2012 proposals earlier this month that provided cash handouts and an extra one per cent employers’ contribution to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for those earning up to RM5,000 a month, which covers most of MTUC’s members.
However, critics point out that the extra EPF contribution will not be of help to most workers as the money is kept in the pension fund and cannot be used to cope with the rising cost of living. Inflation has spiked above three per cent this year.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/despite-picket-subra-wants-talks-with-mtuc-over-labour-law/
Festive air as workers picket new labour law
UPDATED @ 07:59:56 PM 03-11-2011
By Clara Chooi and Lisa J. Ariffin
November 03, 2011
Picture by Choy Choo May
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Despite a slow start, a workers’ protest against a new labour
law outside the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) building in Jalan Raja Laut here swelled from 50 people to 200 within a half hour and rising.
The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), an umbrella body comprising 390 labour unions representing 802,323 members, kicked off at 5pm its nationwide picket against amendments to the Employment Act here and 19 other spots nationwide.
Motorists driving by the previously deserted roads honked noisily in support of the demonstrators holding aloft placards that read: “Jangan tukar akta sekerja”; “Hentikan pindaan
Protesters by Jalan Barat in Petaling Jaya during their protest against the
amendments to the Employment Act November 3 2011. — Picture by Jack Ooi
sekarang” and “Menteri tipu pekerja”, and chant “Hidup MTUC! Hidup pekerja!”
Festivity filled the air as the demonstrators, donning their various union colours and some even wearing Halloween masks, took to singing through loudhailers, blowing on whistles and beating a beat on kompangs as they line the sidewalk that stretch out as far as 100 metres in front of the EPF building.
Some had come in colourful raincoats and bandanas in anticipation of rain but the picket continued peacefully beneath clear skies. Only a small group of uniformed policemen kept watch nearby.
The crowd whistled loudly each time a federal opposition leader arrived. The DAP’s Lim Kit Siang, Wong Ho Leng, A. Sivanesan and M. Kulasegaran were joined by allies from PKR, PAS and others from Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).
Workers hold up their protest banner by Jalan Barat in Petaling Jaya November 3 2011. — Picture by Jack Ooi
The country’s main labour centre for the private sector have accused the government of bringing back “slave-like” conditions with the amendments which, they said, erode protection for workers.
Its secretary-general Abdul Halim Mansor had said some 500 people would take part at each location.
In Petaling Jaya, a similar festivity filled the air outside Wisma TWU in Jalan Barat, opposite the Hilton hotel though the number of picketeers were far smaller.
At the start, there were only 10 demonstratorsm but they grew to about 80 within the half hour.
MTUC president Khalid Atan who arrived at the Jalan Raja Laut protest shortly after it kicked off, declared the picket a success.
He said some 2,000 people took part in 18 locations nationwide and added that the picket at Jalan Raja Laut has hit its targeted 500 mark.
“The response is very encouraging and we hope this picket will send a clear message across to the government that we reject these labour law amendments,” he told a harried press conference on the sidelines of the protest.
He said although Parliament had already passed the contentious amendments to the law on October 6, the MTUC was still willing to negotiate changes and work with the Human Resources Ministry.
“I will not speculate on what our next move will be after this picket but we will deliberate on this during our next general council meeting and keep you informed,” he said.
Khalid also defended the attendance of opposition lawmakers at the picket, stressing that MTUC had not issued any formal invitations to any political party.
“We did not know they planned to attend and we cannot tell them to leave. Perhaps they felt it is their duty as an MP to show support.
“But MTUC is non-partisan,” he said.
The entire gathering remained peaceful and protestors dispersed without any untoward incident shortly before 6.30pm.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/little-spark-in-kl-as-workers-picket-new-labour-law/
By Clara Chooi and Lisa J. Ariffin
November 03, 2011
Picture by Choy Choo May
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Despite a slow start, a workers’ protest against a new labour
law outside the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) building in Jalan Raja Laut here swelled from 50 people to 200 within a half hour and rising.
The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), an umbrella body comprising 390 labour unions representing 802,323 members, kicked off at 5pm its nationwide picket against amendments to the Employment Act here and 19 other spots nationwide.
Motorists driving by the previously deserted roads honked noisily in support of the demonstrators holding aloft placards that read: “Jangan tukar akta sekerja”; “Hentikan pindaan
Protesters by Jalan Barat in Petaling Jaya during their protest against the
amendments to the Employment Act November 3 2011. — Picture by Jack Ooi
sekarang” and “Menteri tipu pekerja”, and chant “Hidup MTUC! Hidup pekerja!”
Festivity filled the air as the demonstrators, donning their various union colours and some even wearing Halloween masks, took to singing through loudhailers, blowing on whistles and beating a beat on kompangs as they line the sidewalk that stretch out as far as 100 metres in front of the EPF building.
Some had come in colourful raincoats and bandanas in anticipation of rain but the picket continued peacefully beneath clear skies. Only a small group of uniformed policemen kept watch nearby.
The crowd whistled loudly each time a federal opposition leader arrived. The DAP’s Lim Kit Siang, Wong Ho Leng, A. Sivanesan and M. Kulasegaran were joined by allies from PKR, PAS and others from Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).
Workers hold up their protest banner by Jalan Barat in Petaling Jaya November 3 2011. — Picture by Jack Ooi
The country’s main labour centre for the private sector have accused the government of bringing back “slave-like” conditions with the amendments which, they said, erode protection for workers.
Its secretary-general Abdul Halim Mansor had said some 500 people would take part at each location.
In Petaling Jaya, a similar festivity filled the air outside Wisma TWU in Jalan Barat, opposite the Hilton hotel though the number of picketeers were far smaller.
At the start, there were only 10 demonstratorsm but they grew to about 80 within the half hour.
MTUC president Khalid Atan who arrived at the Jalan Raja Laut protest shortly after it kicked off, declared the picket a success.
He said some 2,000 people took part in 18 locations nationwide and added that the picket at Jalan Raja Laut has hit its targeted 500 mark.
“The response is very encouraging and we hope this picket will send a clear message across to the government that we reject these labour law amendments,” he told a harried press conference on the sidelines of the protest.
He said although Parliament had already passed the contentious amendments to the law on October 6, the MTUC was still willing to negotiate changes and work with the Human Resources Ministry.
“I will not speculate on what our next move will be after this picket but we will deliberate on this during our next general council meeting and keep you informed,” he said.
Khalid also defended the attendance of opposition lawmakers at the picket, stressing that MTUC had not issued any formal invitations to any political party.
“We did not know they planned to attend and we cannot tell them to leave. Perhaps they felt it is their duty as an MP to show support.
“But MTUC is non-partisan,” he said.
The entire gathering remained peaceful and protestors dispersed without any untoward incident shortly before 6.30pm.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/little-spark-in-kl-as-workers-picket-new-labour-law/
1,000 join MTUC picket in Penang
The heavy rain and thunderstorm in Penang yesterday did not deter more than 1,000 workers from picketing against the recent labour law amendments in Butterworth, on the mainland part of the state.
Led by the Penang division of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), the workers lined up the main road leading to Prai, carrying pro-workers posters as passers-by in vehicles honked loudly in support of the colourful crowd.
The crowd was initially small, but despite the continuous pouring rain, which pelted for about 40 minutes, it grew larger and soon exceeded 1,000 people.
AMK members join the picket
United we stand against the amandments made to the Employment Act
Picketer holding a small poster near Padang Kilat, Seberang Perai
Picketers in Penang braved the rain to protest against the amandments made to the Employment Act
http://komunitikini.com/penang/1000-join-mtuc-picket-in-penang
Led by the Penang division of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), the workers lined up the main road leading to Prai, carrying pro-workers posters as passers-by in vehicles honked loudly in support of the colourful crowd.
The crowd was initially small, but despite the continuous pouring rain, which pelted for about 40 minutes, it grew larger and soon exceeded 1,000 people.
AMK members join the picket
United we stand against the amandments made to the Employment Act
Picketer holding a small poster near Padang Kilat, Seberang Perai
Picketers in Penang braved the rain to protest against the amandments made to the Employment Act
http://komunitikini.com/penang/1000-join-mtuc-picket-in-penang
Hundreds attend MTUC picket
Despite a slow start, a workers’ protest against a new labour law outside the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) building in Jalan Raja Laut here has swelled from 
50 people to 200 within a half hour and rising.The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), an umbrella body comprising 390 labour unions representing 802,323 members, kicked off its nationwide picket at 5pm against amendments to the Employment Act here and 19 other spots nationwide.
Motorists driving by the previously deserted roads honk noisily in support of the demonstrators holding aloft placards that read: “Jangan tukar akta sekerja”; “Hentikan pindaan sekarang” and “Menteri tipu pekerja”, and chant “Hidup MTUC! Hidup pekerja!”
Festivity fills the air as the demonstrators, donning their various union colours, take to singing through loudhailers and beating a beat on kompangs as they line the sidewalk that stretch out as far as 100m away from the EPF building.
The crowd whistle loudly each time a federal opposition leader arrives. The DAP’s Lim Kit Siang has been joined by allies from PKR, PAS and others from Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).
The country’s main labour centre for the private sector have accused the government of bringing back “slave-like” conditions with the amendments which, they said, erodes worker protection.
Its secretary-general Abdul Halim Mansor had said some 500 people would take part at each location.
MTUC president Khalid Atan who arrived shortly after declared the picket a success.
He told the crowd some 2,000 people took part in 18 locations nationwide and added that the picket at Jalan Raja Lau has hit its targeted 500 mark.
In Petaling, a similar festivity fills the air outside Wisma TWU in Jalan Barat, opposite the Hilton hotel though the number of picketeers is far smaller.
At the start, there were only 10 demonstrators but they grew to about 80 within the half hour.
The gathering has been peaceful so far.
http://www.kl-today.com/2011/11/hundreds-attend-mtuc-picket/
50 people to 200 within a half hour and rising.The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), an umbrella body comprising 390 labour unions representing 802,323 members, kicked off its nationwide picket at 5pm against amendments to the Employment Act here and 19 other spots nationwide.
Motorists driving by the previously deserted roads honk noisily in support of the demonstrators holding aloft placards that read: “Jangan tukar akta sekerja”; “Hentikan pindaan sekarang” and “Menteri tipu pekerja”, and chant “Hidup MTUC! Hidup pekerja!”
Festivity fills the air as the demonstrators, donning their various union colours, take to singing through loudhailers and beating a beat on kompangs as they line the sidewalk that stretch out as far as 100m away from the EPF building.
The crowd whistle loudly each time a federal opposition leader arrives. The DAP’s Lim Kit Siang has been joined by allies from PKR, PAS and others from Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).
The country’s main labour centre for the private sector have accused the government of bringing back “slave-like” conditions with the amendments which, they said, erodes worker protection.
Its secretary-general Abdul Halim Mansor had said some 500 people would take part at each location.
MTUC president Khalid Atan who arrived shortly after declared the picket a success.
He told the crowd some 2,000 people took part in 18 locations nationwide and added that the picket at Jalan Raja Lau has hit its targeted 500 mark.
In Petaling, a similar festivity fills the air outside Wisma TWU in Jalan Barat, opposite the Hilton hotel though the number of picketeers is far smaller.
At the start, there were only 10 demonstrators but they grew to about 80 within the half hour.
The gathering has been peaceful so far.
http://www.kl-today.com/2011/11/hundreds-attend-mtuc-picket/
MTUC minta kerajaan buka ruang perbincangan
KUALA LUMPUR 3 Nov. – Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC) hari ini meminta kerajaan khususnya Kementerian Sumber Manusia membuka ruang perbincangan terhadap Akta Kerja 1955 yang diluluskan Parlimen pada 6 Oktober lalu.
Presiden MTUC, Mohd. Khalid Atan berkata, rundingan supaya pindaan tersebut dikaji semula sentiasa menjadi harapan pihaknya.
“Kita akan menyampaikan perkara itu dalam mesyuarat ahli MTUC akan datang dan berharap kementerian tersebut dapat membuka jalan perundingan bagi menarik semula pindaan berkenaan,” katanya pada piket yang dihadiri lebih 500 pekerja di depan Bangunan Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) di sini, hari ini.
Antara kesatuan yang terlibat pada piket yang bermula pukul 5.30 petang dan berakhir pada 6.30 petang itu ialah Kesatuan Pekerja KWSP, Kesatuan Pekerja Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (RUM), Kesatuan Kebangsaan Pekerja-Pekerja Bank (NUBE), Public Services International (PSI) dan Kesatuan Pekerja-pekerja Kelab Semenanjung Malaysia (KPKSM).
Mohd. Khalid berkata, pindaan akta tersebut akan mewujudkan Sistem Kontraktor yang membolehkan majikan ‘mengupah’ kontraktor memberikan tenaga kerja kepada majikan berkenaan.
Katanya, sistem itu membuatkan pekerja bekerja untuk kontraktor bukan majikan berkenaan, menyebabkan majikan tidak mempunyai tanggungjawab secara terus menjaga kebajikan pekerja terutamanya melibatkan caruman Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (Perkeso) dan KWSP.
Berkenaan piket tersebut pula, beliau berpuas hati dengan kehadiran semua kesatuan yang masing-masing memberikan komitmen tinggi dalam memperjuangkan hak mereka sebagai pekerja.
“Lebih 5,500 menyertai piket ini di 18 lokasi seluruh negara hari ini bagi menyatakan bantahan mereka. Piket ini satu kejayaan bagi MTUC,” ujarnya.
Di PULAU PINANG, hujan lebat tidak menghalang hampir 1,000 ahli MTUC mengadakan piket secara aman di hadapan Hotel Pearl View, Prai di sini dari pukul 5 hingga 6.15 petang.
Setiausaha MTUC Pulau Pinang, K Veeriah berkata, pindaan itu hanya akan menyebabkan lebih banyak masalah kepada pekerja di samping menindas mereka.
Di IPOH, kira-kira 500 ahli MTUC Bahagian Perak mengadakan piket secara aman di Taman Kledang Utama.
Setiausaha MTUC Bahagian Perak, Abdul Rashid Saari berkata, pindaan akta tersebut, apabila dilaksanakan kelak akan menguntungkan majikan dan pekerja asing sedangkan pekerja tempatan teraniaya.
Di MELAKA, piket kira-kira 300 orang yang sepatutnya berjalan dalam suasana aman, menjadi medan mengecam kerajaan dengan pelbagai kata-kata kesat dilemparkan.
Ia gara-gara kehadiran Ketua Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK), Shamsul Iskandar Mat Akin serta beberapa penyokongnya yang muncul secara tiba-tiba sewaktu piket diadakan.
Di ALOR SETAR, kira-kira 300 pekerja menyertai piket tersebut di hadapan Sime Tyre International, Mergong bagi membantah pindaan tersebut.
Menurut Pengerusi MTUC Kedah, Zulkifli Hamid, piket terbabit bukan untuk menentang kerajaan tetapi membela nasib pekerja swasta yang didakwa akan ditindas jika pindaan itu dilaksanakan.
Di KOTA KINABALU, MTUC Sabah gagal mengadakan piket hari ini apabila gagal mencapai sasaran apabila hanya 30 ahli yang datang pada kali ini.
Di JOHOR BAHRU, kira-kira 500 individu menyertai piket tersebut secara aman.
Pengerusi MTUC negeri, Tan Ean Hong berharap kerajaan menerusi Kementerian Sumber Manusia dapat mengkaji semula akta berkenaan bagi membolehkan kebajikan pekerja tempatan terbela.
Di KUALA LANGAT, kira-kira 200 pekerja kilang di sekitar daerah ini turut menyertai piket tersebut di Jalan Besar Klang-Banting di Telok Panglima Garang di sini.
Presiden Kesatuan Sekerja Industri Elektronik Wilayah Barat Semenanjung Malaysia, Wan Noorulazhar Mohd. Hanafiah berkata, pindaan akta itu akan meluluskan agensi kontrak pekerjaan yang bermaksud pekerja kilang boleh dikontrakkan.
Sementara itu, Timbalan Menteri Sumber Manusia, Senator Datuk Maznah Mazlan berkata, kerajaan telah mengambil kira pandangan dan kajian daripada Majlis Perundingan Gaji Kebangsaan sebelum membuat pindaan Akta Kerja 1955 yang diluluskan pada 6 Oktober lalu.
“Kerajaan mengambil kira pandangan majlis bebas itu demi memperjuangkan nasib pekerja sekali gus turut mengambil kira kepentingan majikan,” katanya
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2011&dt=1104&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=Dalam_Negeri&pg=dn_16.htm&arc=hive
Friday, November 4, 2011
Nasib tiga pemimpin kesatuan sekerja terbela selepas 13 tahun
04/11/2011 7:03pm
KUALA LUMPUR 4 Nov. – Nasib tiga bekas pemimpin tertinggi Kesatuan Sekerja Kilang Guppy Plastik Industries Sdn. Bhd. akhirnya mendapat pembelaan apabila Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur memutuskan pemecatan mereka 13 tahun lalu tidak sah.
Malah, mahkamah turut mendapati semua tuduhan yang dikemukakan oleh bekas majikan mereka itu tidak benar.
Mangsa yang terdiri daripada bekas Pengerusi Kesatuan Sekerja Guppy, Koyilvani Saminathan, 43; Setiausahanya, Roshamiza Muhamad, 36, dan Bendahari kesatuan, Kanniamah Annasamy, 60, dipecat dalam masa 24 jam pada 18 Jun 1998 atas tuduhan melakukan aktiviti anti syarikat.
Menurut Koyilvani, pihak pengurusan Guppy Plastik Industries Sdn. Bhd. turut mendakwa mereka memaksa pekerja lain menyertai kesatuan tersebut serta menyalahgunakan wang syarikat.
“Kami menubuhkan kesatuan ini bagi membela nasib pekerja yang menghadapi pelbagai masalah, antaranya kenaikan gaji yang hanya sebanyak 20 sen sebulan, masalah pengangkutan serta klinik panel.
“Namun, niat murni kami dianggap mengancam kedudukan syarikat dan oleh sebab itu, kami dipecat serta-merta tanpa sebarang siasatan dalaman dilakukan,” katanya pada sidang akhbar di sini, hari ini.
Sementara itu, Roshamiza ketika ditemui berkata, pada mulanya kes mereka telah dirujuk ke Mahkamah Perindustrian pada 30 Jun 1998, namun setelah beberapa kelewatan, kes tersebut mula dibicarakan pada 26 Julai 2004.
“Pada 31 Mei 2006, kami kalah perbicaraan kes tersebut. Setelah membuat rayuan di Mahkamah Tinggi pada 14 Disember 2009, hakim telah memutuskan pemecatan kami sebagai tidak sah.
“Walaupun kami menang, pihak pengurusan Guppy Plastik Industries Sdn. Bhd. mengugut supaya kemenangan kami dirahsiakan jika tidak mahu mereka membuat rayuan di Mahkamah Rayuan yang sememangnya akan melibatkan lebih banyak masa,” katanya.
Ketiga-tiga mangsa terbabit hanya memperoleh pampasan maksimum sebanyak dua tahun gaji daripada 13 tahun sepanjang kes perbicaraan berlangsung. - Utusan
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