Several groups have urged the police to release five protestors arrested outside Ipoh Hospital while demonstrating against their employer’s alleged union-busting activities.
“These frontline workers are already victimised by their employer, Edgenta UEMS, and now their rights are further trampled upon,” said Parti Sosialis Malaysia secretary-general A Sivarajan.
“We call on the police to immediately release the union officials without charge or penalty.”
Edgenta UEMS, a hospital cleaning services provider, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UEM Edgenta.
Sivarajan said the National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services (NUWHSAS) had already made multiple police reports and have complained to the Human Resources Ministry regarding their grievances, but continue to suffer constant harassment, victimisation and union-busting by their employer.
Regarding the protests, he said there were fewer than 20 protesters involved and social distancing was practised throughout the picket line, and the protesters themselves are frontliners working as clearers at the government hospitals.
The five were arrested this afternoon 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 five are NUWHSAS executive secretary M Saraswathy, union officials L Danaletchumy and V Santhiran, and PSM members P Jothi and C Subramaniam @ Raja.
The union had claimed that Edgenta UEMS had, among others, unilaterally changed union members’ work hours, shifts, and even arbitrarily transferred them to workplaces far from home as punishment.
They also claim they were denied proper personal protective equipment while cleaning Covid-19 wards.
UEM Edgenta, in a statement, 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.
Meanwhile, human rights group Suaram said silencing NUWHSAS is an infringement of their constitutional freedom of expression and puts the wellbeing of frontline workers at risk.
“The act of arresting union protestors is a violation of their rights and stifles the underlying labour issues championed by the union.
“At a time where medical personnel and associated staff are risking their personal wellbeing and safety at the frontlines of our fight against Covid-19, silencing NUWHSAS in such a manner is detrimental to protecting our frontline workers,” said Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy.
Liga Rakyat Demokratik secretary-general Amir Abd Hadi said hospital cleaners should be given the same treatment as other frontliners battling the Covid-19 pandemic, and their welfare should be taken care of.
“The LRD urges for all five who have been arrested to be released immediately.
“The LRD also urges that all forms of discrimination against hospital support staff union members to cease immediately, and for transparent investigations to be conducted so immediate action can be taken,” he said. - Mkini
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