PKR MP calls for EAC to outline plan for millions at risk of losing jobs post-Covid

CORONAVIRUS | PKR lawmaker Hassan Karim has called on the Economic Action Council (EAC) to outline a plan to secure Malaysians at risk of losing their jobs in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Hassan (photo, above) said this was needed as many Malaysians remained at risk for being laid off from work as a result of the health crisis and the extended government-imposed movement control order (MCO).

“Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM)... estimated a possible 63 percent of its members would retrench staff due to Covid-19 and extended MCO.

“Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (Mier) estimated 2.4 million Malaysians would lose their jobs if the MCO period is extended further... Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) estimated over a million would lose their jobs this year.

“These three statements are very concerning... the majority of workers in Malaysian are wage earners, working for employers (while) 98.5 percent of businesses are small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” he pointed out in a statement today.

In light of this, Hassan said an action plan was needed to help those at risk even despite subsidy schemes being offered by the Perikatan Nasional government to help SMEs retain its workforce and prevent retrenchment.

“I call on the government, through the EAC, to produce an action plan to save Malaysian employees from being dismissed,” he said.

This is especially as the Pasir Gudang MP pointed out the upcoming Dewan Rakyat session will only sit for a day.

“I am disappointed... There is no oral question session, no Ministerial Question Time and no motions allowed. So parliamentarians cannot ask the government on concrete steps that have and will be taken to save millions of Malaysian workers from being laid off,” added Hassan.

It was reported that Dewan Rakyat will sit for just one day on May 18 in light of the viral outbreak. During the session, Parliament will only discuss government Bills and business.

Oral question sessions, written questions, motions and special chambers will not be held.

The lawmaker further urged employees not to stop fighting as local laws - Industrial Relations Act 1967 - prevent employers from wantonly dismissing staff. - Mkini