Nube sec-gen cries intimidation after police report by minister

 

National Union of Bank Employees (Nube) secretary-general J Solomon has cried intimidation after Human Resources Minister M Saravanan lodged a police report against him.

Saravanan had claimed Solomon slandered him and misled the public by asking the Human Resources Ministry not to relax the enforcement of the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).

Last month, Saravanan was reported as saying that the government had agreed to relax enforcement after representation from employers.

Saravanan later clarified that Act 446 was not suspended and is still in force.

Act 446 sets the minimum standards that employers must abide by for workers’ lodging and work environment.

The law is seen as essential, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, as crowded quarters have led to Covid-19 clusters.

Solomon (above) was yesterday questioned by police following the police report.

“The police report against me is baffling and an intimidation tactic,” he said in a statement.

Solomon said Saravanan should view feedback from unions positively.

He added that Covid-19 cases at the workplace had been on the rise and unions have every right to be concerned.

“Cramped, unhygienic living conditions with poor sanitation and little ventilation, which many foreign workers are subjected to, are potential clusters for diseases, not just Covid-19.

“Such clusters, if they happen, will impact Malaysians, both at workplaces and the general public, more so in the current third wave of the pandemic,” he said.

Solomon urged Saravanan to give his commitment that the government will use the full weight of the law in enforcing Act 446.

“Full transparency in this matter will restore a lot of goodwill between the minister and workers and their union leaders,” he said. - Mkini