MTUC hits out at proposal to stop job hopping

 

Malaysian workers will not accept being bound by any company, says former human resources minister M Kula Segaran. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has warned against the adoption of any system that would prevent companies from hiring frequent job hoppers, saying it will frustrate Putrajaya’s efforts to reduce unemployment.

Commenting on a proposal by the Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA), MTUC acting president Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani said there must be room for considering the reasons for job hopping.

The federation’s chairman, Abdul Malik Abdullah, recently proposed an initiative similar to the Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS) or the reporting method of CTOS Data Systems Sdn Bhd to address the issue of job hopping.

CCRIS and CTOS work as financial health report cards that provide credit scores based on an individual’s financial history such as late payment of bills, the amount owed and types of loans.

Effendy told FMT he feared that workers with good qualifications and experience would be hindered from getting employed simply due to their job hopping history.

This could increase unemployment figures, he said.

“One can’t pick and choose specific aspects to penalise workers by imposing something based on a unilateral act or decision,” he said. “Many workers are still struggling to make ends meet and better their incomes and livelihoods.”

Effendy said unprofessional management, discrimination, low wages, internal politics and lack of leave opportunities were among the reasons people would leave their jobs.

“They rarely leave for something trivial,” he said, adding that it was better for employers to conduct exit interviews to find out why their employees were resigning or to set up an integrity department for workers to report abuses.

He said employers should provide incentives, support career advancements, give mental health help, ensure a healthy work environment and practise effective communication at the workplace.

“Workers should also play a part in addressing this issue by ingraining in themselves the attitude of responsibility, commitment, patience and maturity in facing the challenges of work,” he said.

Former human resources minister M Kula Segaran said workers had the right to leave “when they want to as per respective employment contract agreements”.

Speaking to FMT, he noted that “restraint of trade” was disallowed under the Contracts Act 1950.

“So Malik’s suggestion is ridiculous and illogical,” he said, adding that it was also outdated.

“The fact that more Malaysians are choosing the gig economy because of the freedom it provides goes to show that they will not accept being bound by any company,” he said.

Kula said companies could make significant changes to discourage their employees from leaving by focusing on employer-employee relationships, giving recognition where it was due, providing work-life balance and helping them to improve their skills. - FMT