Stop bullying and blackmailing - MTUC sec-gen to MEF

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has expressed its shock at dire warnings by the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) that up to two million people could be unemployed, deeming it a blatant attempt to blackmail the government into dishing out more concessions and financial assistance to the business community.

MTUC secretary-general J Solomon in a statement today hit out at the warning by MEF executive director Shamsuddin Bardan on Tuesday that a wave of retrenchments may be on the way after Hari Raya.

Shamsuddin said that the MEF expects just over two million to lose their jobs, including fresh graduates and the 610,000 who became unemployed before March this year when the movement control order (MCO) took effect.

"We have to treat this warning as a blatant attempt by employers to shy away from their responsibility of doing all they can in helping the government ensure unemployment is kept to a minimum as efforts are made to push start the economy," said Solomon.

"The MEF warning has exposed the true colours of its members who employ a sizeable number of Malaysians and migrant workers, mostly in the manufacturing and services sectors which are vital to the country’s economy.

"MEF demands that employers be allowed to lower the EPF contributions from 11 percent to five percent and for new laws to be enacted to reduce their overheads are blatant attempts to profit from the Covid-19 pandemic and are most inhumane," he added.

Solomon also slammed attempts to force workers into taking pay cuts and reducing their work hours which would greatly impact their livelihood, given that a majority of the work force are from the B40 and M40 groups who are already paid low wages.

"MEF members who are laying off workers and making threats to retrench even more employees after Hari Raya are committing an unconscientious and dishonourable act.

"Even after being given billions of ringgit in financial assistance and wage subsidies, these employers are clearly just thinking of their own self-interest.

"It appears that MEF members have no qualms in sacrificing the welfare and livelihood of thousands of workers, so that they can continue to retain their lavish lifestyle," he said adding that employers are ready to discard workers as a quick fix to retain their profit margins.

He said the MEF statement was even more regrettable as it was issued just one day after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had urged employers to do all they can to keep workers in their jobs as all quarters need to sacrifice and do their part in helping Malaysia recover from the crisis.

"The government must respond swiftly and make it clear to MEF that it will not be bullied into giving more concessions that will only increase the sufferings of workers.

"The government must also hold MEF accountable and demand full transparency for the billions of ringgit they have been handed to ensure that businesses keep afloat and workers keep their jobs," said Solomon. - Mkini