Gov't prefers making announcements, not hearing the people: MEF

CORONAVIRUS | In the fight against Covid-19, the government should discuss with stakeholders first, before making policy announcements, Malaysian Employers’ Federation (MEF) executive director Shamsudin Bardan (above) said.

However, he said, it seems that the government prefers to make announcements first and then evaluate the reactions of stakeholders.

“We have communication with the government for all these kinds of things but as far as decision-making is concerned, it does not seem to be willing to discuss with stakeholders.

“The government seems to like to announce first, then see the reaction of stakeholders. That is not a savvy way of doing things.

“It should be discussing matters openly and then come to a decision so that that the decision is accepted fully by all stakeholders,” Shamsudin said in an interview on Astro Awani last night.

He said this shortly after he spoke about the confusion over the government’s policy for getting workers tested for Covid-19.

At one point, he said, the government had talked about workers getting tested for Covid-19 using rapid test kits which would cost about RM60 a set. The cost would supposedly be borne by the Social Security Organisation (Socso).

Later, the government said all foreign workers must also do a swab test, which is more expensive compared to a rapid test kit, Shamsudin said.

Foreign workers being tested for Covid-19

“What shocked employers was when the government said employers should bear the cost of swab testing.

“Of course, we protested very strongly and of course, later on, it decided, yes, the cost will be covered by Socso, but only for foreign workers in the construction sector and only in the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor regions.

“So, now we are not sure where we are, as far as the testing is concerned,” he said.

Shamsudin also said it was unfair on the employers for the government to shut down an entire company even if only one of its employees was found positive for Covid-19.

This is especially true for bigger companies with a few thousand employees, he said.

If an employee is found to be positive with Covid-19, it would be fair to shut down certain sections of the company where the employee had been moving around in, he said.

“But to say that an entire company be shut down (over one employee found positive for Covid-19) is very draconian,” Shamsudin said. - Mkini