Labour group urges govt to intervene in Suhakam’s salary increment woes

 

The picketing is expected to take place in front of Suhakam’s headquarters tomorrow morning.

PETALING JAYA: 

The Labour Solidarity and Learning Resources Association has urged the government to intervene following reports that Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) employees plan to picket over a lack of transparency in salary increments.

The picketing tomorrow morning concerns an announcement that three of Suhakam’s deputy secretaries received salary raises based on a different performance assessment system, while the commission’s staff were excluded from the new public service remuneration system (SSPA).

“The association urges the government to act immediately to address the legitimate demands of the Suhakam employees,” its secretary-general, Gopal Kishnam Nadesan, said in a statement.

He urged the government to increase budgetary support for Suhakam to ensure the commission’s employees receive the same salary and benefits as those under the SSPA, while guaranteeing equal protection of labour rights for employees of independent institutions.

“Transparent, fair pay and evaluation systems are vital components of labour rights. Unjust pay adjustments and performance evaluation practices not only demoralise employees but also exacerbate inequality among them,” he said.

Gopal also said Suhakam must lead by example by implementing transparent and fair pay adjustment and performance evaluation mechanisms, ensuring all employees understand the standards, and benefit from open and transparent decision-making and communication processes.

He also said the association supports the establishment of a union by Suhakam employees.

“A union provides an important platform for employees to defend their rights, negotiate collectively, and address long-standing and structural issues,” he said.

The picketing is expected to take place in front of Suhakam’s headquarters at Menara TH Perdana in Kuala Lumpur at 8am tomorrow. - FMT