Maria Chin: Arrest of hospital workers is shameful

Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah has blasted the arrest of frontliners from the National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services (NUWHSAS) who were detained in Ipoh yesterday after protesting against what they claimed were union-busting tactics by their employer Edgenta UEMS.

"This is shameful and must not be taken lightly.

"Silencing the voices of frontliners is unfair and cruel. It shows the total lack of respect and care by employers towards those already risking their lives daily to protect the rest of us from Covid-19," she said in a statement this morning.

Yesterday, the police had arrested five women, including the executive secretary of NUWHSAS M Saraswathy during a peaceful protest outside the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh.

The union represents members who work as cleaners in government hospitals in the northern states.

A source told Malaysiakini that as of this morning, the five are still in detention and their lawyers are waiting for more information from the investigating officer.

The five are being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant in discharge of his public functions as well as Section 269 of the Penal Code which covers unlawfully or negligently committing an act that is likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life.

They are also being investigated under Regulation 7(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020, which prohibits gatherings for various purposes.

"The workers who were arrested were voicing out their legitimate concerns over the poor treatment that hospital cleaners were receiving from their employer Edgenta UEMS including not being given enough essential protective equipment, denying the union their rights and forcing workers to change working hours and shifts," claimed Maria.

"It is downright deplorable that such exploitation of frontliners is allegedly taking place under a government-linked company like Edgenta UEMS.

"The authorities must investigate the company on the alleged claims of harassment faced by workers," said Maria who said the detention of hard-working Malaysian workers, especially those from vulnerable communities that are already struggling is just downright cruel.

Edgenta UEMS, a hospital cleaning services provider, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UEM Edgenta.

UEM Edgenta, in a statement yesterday, responded that protocols are in place to protect the health and safety of its employees.

It also claimed to have communications channels in place for discussions with employees and is committed to resolving internal matters affecting its employees amicably.

Maria called on the police to release all detainees and drop all charges against them.

"This is the time for the Human Resources Ministry to show leadership and bring in reform to our weak labour laws so as to be able to deal with workers' right to assembly and expression; ensure better working conditions; penalise private sectors that undermine workers' unions; and improve the safety and health of workers, especially during a crisis like the present conditional movement control order," she added.

Aside from Maria, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, human rights groups Suaram, Liga Rakyat Demokratik, and Aliran have all slammed the detentions and called for the immediate release of the five. - Mkini