MTUC wants gov’t to handle key issues involving workers following PM's order

CORONAVIRUS | While the government has been praised for its decision to implement a two-week movement control order in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has also called on Putrajaya to address key issues involving workers.

“MTUC wishes to congratulate the government for taking a courageous decision even though there will be consequences. However, these will be negligible compared to not having taken this important decision.

“MTUC sees the movement control order as necessary to delay and contain the spread of the disease,” MTUC secretary-general J Solomon (above) said in a statement today.

Solomon, however, said while the movement control order is not a lockdown, it could trigger mass panic and public anxiety if it is not properly administered.

As such, key issues must be tackled from the onset, he said.

Solomon called on the government to "rein in" the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) which he claimed was refusing to pay employees of companies shut down for the next two weeks.

“This is most inhumane on the part of the MEF whose members will directly benefit from the government’s RM20 billion stimulus package and yet have no qualms about leaving their workers high and dry, without income.

“We call on the government to convene an urgent meeting with MEF and MTUC to address this pressing issue. Workers must be assured of an adequate safety net when the shutdown is executed,” he said.

Solomon also noted how the movement control order will affect some 300,000 Malaysians employed in Singapore.

“These workers need urgent answers on whether they will be allowed to travel to the island republic or take paid leave.

“There must be a G-to-G (government to government) dialogue between Malaysia and Singapore to address this issue urgently for more clarity.

“If the welfare of the 15 million workers in Malaysia can be given the utmost priority, MTUC is confident the government will have effectively dealt with any spillover from the movement control order.”

Solomon also expressed concern about how low wage earners will suffer the brunt of the Covid-19 economic downturn in Malaysia.

“The government has yet to announce a new and more equitable, balanced and realistic stimulus package that can address the needs of these workers.

“MTUC will have a separate dialogue with the government to address this issue as we want to support the government during this period for the benefit of the nation.”

A moratorium on housing and vehicle bank loans would greatly help affected workers, he added.

“The banking industry must immediately step in to discharge their obligations towards helping these workers and MTUC has written to the Association of Banks in Malaysia to consider the deferment of the instalments on housing, vehicle and education loans.”

While the two percent discount for the electricity bill is a good initiative for companies, Solomon said it would be negligible when translated into savings for domestic users.

“We urge the government to give a meaningful 50 percent discount for domestic users.”

Noting that the Perikatan Nasional government is new, Solomon, however, said that the government should not delay showing its resolve to champion the rights and welfare of low wage earners.

“There is no better opportunity to do so than now, when they are facing such dire challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The PN government is rest assured that MTUC will extend all cooperation to ensure Covid-19 is effectively contained and workers are not short-changed in their movement control order."

Yesterday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (above) had announced the order which will start tomorrow until March 31.

The limit on public movement in a bid to curb the outbreak includes the closing of schools and private premises.

However, essential services, supermarkets, wet markets, grocery shops and convenience stores will remain open and accessible.

According to the Health Ministry, the number of Covid-19 cases is now 553, with 190 cases reported on Sunday and another 125 yesterday. - Mkini