Factory workers in Perai protest being called "rubbish" by production manager

Penang police has received three reports over a disturbance at a solar factory in Perai today, where about 200 protested against operators being labelled "rubbish" by their production manager.

When contacted, Seberang Perai Tengah OCPD Nik Ros Azhan said police was alerted to the incident at about 8.30am today by a member of the public, who claimed a strike had taken place at the factory, Jinko Solar.

"When the police arrived at the plant, there were about 300 people who were gathered there, in front of the factory.

"We tried to calm the situation. The workers demanded the production manager, who labelled the operators as rubbish, apologise and he was willing to do so," Nik Ros said.

The incident happened when a video clip of the manager saying "operators were rubbish" was viralised in the Penang Kini Facebook page, which has since been deleted.

A screenshot of the message, where operators were labelled "rubbish", was also distributed via WhatsApp.

Nik Ros said about 9.30am, the manager, a 39-year-old man from Tapak, Perak, met the protestors and issued an apology for uttering the offensive word.

According to Nik Ros, a workers representative has also met with the factory management to request that their salaries and allowances be reviewed, and a flexible working time be considered for the operators.

"The crowd dispersed at about 10.30am, and those who were still unsatisfied were advised to lodge police reports," Nik Ros said.

"We have received three reports so far. The incident was settled without any damage or injuries," he added.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy (above, left) said the disturbance in the work place in Perai is a reminder that workers, immaterial of their ethnicity or religion, must be treated fairly and justly.

"It is uncalled for of the supervisor to term a segment of workers as rubbish.

"The management should take the initiative to calm the situation, reprimand the supervisor, and reassure that Jinko is a place for everybody," said the Prai assemblyperson. - Mkini