Labour leaders welcome ‘comprehensive’ aid package

 

Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani (left) and Adnan Mat are presidents of the two labour federations representing private-sector and government employees.

PETALING JAYA: Leaders of the labour movements representing private and government employees have said they are satisfied with the government’s latest Covid-19 relief package, Pemulih, and say it provides comprehensive support.

However, two groups representing small businesses have separately raised fears of job losses and of businesses having to incur additional costs.

Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani, deputy president of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, which comprises private-sector unions, said the package covered all sections of the community in alleviating the burdens brought about by the pandemic and lockdown.

While he was thankful for the six-month loan moratorium for all individual borrowers with no conditions set, he expressed disappointment with further withdrawals being allowed from the Employees Provident Fund through the new i-Citra facility.

“This should not have been made one of the main options. Instead, the government should give out aid first, before allowing EPF withdrawals,” he said.

“Nonetheless, MTUC concedes with the i-Citra announcement, although we hope that the government will prepare a recovery plan for EPF, so as not to affect contributors when they retire,” he told FMT.

The MTUC had pleaded with the government not to allow further use of EPF funds, which represent retirement savings of employees.

Effendy said the extension of the wage subsidy programme for another four months was the right move to ensure that economic sectors could last through the pandemic.

He also welcomed the Bantuan Khas Covid-19 for the hardcore poor, B40 and M40, although he suggested that the amount for those in the M40 would be increased.

Adnan Mat, president of Cuepacs, the federation of civil service unions, said the package was proof that Putrajaya listened to the “heartbeat” and voice of the people, most of whom were struggling financially and had lost their source of income.

“All these packages show the government’s concern with the problems faced by the people, on top of stimulating economic recovery. No other parties have been left behind or feel left out because all levels of society have been included in this package,” he said.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had announced the RM150 billion package earlier today, which involves RM10 billion in direct fiscal injection. - FMT