Cleaning company explains 'union-busting' allegations

UEM Edgenta Bhd has come forward with explanations in regard to the protest by its employees over allegations of union-busting and lack of personal protective equipment on June 2.

It dismissed claims that the company has embarked on widespread union-busting activities, attacking union members and worksite committee members.

"The insourcing arrangement undertaken by Edgenta Mediserve, for instance, the provision of the cleaning services to be undertaken by Edgenta UEMS from Jan 1 2020, onwards, was seen as union-busting by the union (the National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services (NUWHSAS).

"This is untrue as the decision to insource was discussed within UEM Edgenta (parent company of Edgenta UEMS and Edgenta Mediserve) for a period of time," UEM said in a statement.

Stating that the insourcing arrangement was an internal business decision, it is aimed at improving the quality of service delivery of cleansing in the hospitals and allowed workers to be employed directly under Edgenta UEMS, instead of being sub-contracted.

Following the insourcing arrangement, it said that a total of 2,200 cleaners from previous sub-contractors became employees of Edgenta UEMS, while their basic salary was increased from RM1,100 to RM1,200 per month.

Other claims as stated in the UEM's statement include:

• Any changes to be made to the roster is for the purpose of enhancing efficiency of the operations and most importantly the needs of each hospital. Notice of the change has been communicated via a memo to staff dated Feb 11, 2020’

• The transfer of employees was never with the motive of punishing staff who are active in the union, but rather a request from the hospital due to unsatisfactory performance;

• The company vehemently deniee the allegation that workers are forced to work longer hours without overtime pay. If an employee is requested to work beyond the normal working hours, overtime will be paid accordingly, and this is in accordance to labour laws;

• On the allegation that the company forbids union activities, it stressed that the company policy does not hinder any employees from taking part in any union-related activity, as long as it is done outside working hours;

• On the allegation of discriminating against union members by not allowing them an opportunity to work overtime, the company said that it only selected employees who are trained on and familiar with the work requirements of that area, regardless of whether they are union or non-union members;
  
• On supervisors purportedly harassing and intimidating the union worksite committee, the company stated that there were no details and evidence concerning the allegation;

• On workers not equipped with proper PPE equipment, the company said the PPE supplies and stocks were adequate since April 2020, and staff had been provided with appropriate PPE based on hospital recommended usage guidelines. It stated that there was a global shortage of supplies in March; and
  
• On workers being denied special government allowance of RM600 and were only paid a one-off RM300 in token, UEM said the latter was the company's own initiative to recognise staff.
  
  For information, most of Ed-UEMS frontliners would have been recipients of the government B40 incentive, of which they would be entitled to either RM1,600 or RM1,000 for each household.

• On the allegation that workers only earn a minimum wage of RM1,100, the company said it had given all cleaners salary of RM1,200 since January 2020; and

• On the claim that the company is causing hardship to workers by discontinuing subsidised transport services for workers to travel to and from hospitals to work, the company said its terms and conditions of employment do not specify transportation as part of the benefits received by the employees.
  
  However, it had arranged transportation for 139 employees who stayed beyond the 30km radius.

Five protesters who were arrested for the protest were expected to be charged in court today.

They would be charged under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 at the Magistrate’s Court in Ipoh.

The five are National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services (NUWHSAS) executive secretary M Saraswathy (on left in photo above), union officials L Danaletchumy and V Santhiran, and Parti Sosialis Malaysia members P Jothi and C Subramaniam @ Raja.

After the protest, the company had said that it is committed to resolving internal matters affecting its employees amicably.

It is learned that more than 10 people joined the protest. - Mkini