Only 1 political party met us for talks on workers, says MTUC

 

The MTUC said the human resources ministry has not called for a National Labour Advisory Council meeting since last year.

PETALING JAYA: Every political party, save for one, has ignored the request by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) for a meeting to thrash out the serious problems faced by workers caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said the organisation was disappointed with the majority of the country’s leaders as it initiated the joint meeting to find ways to help struggling workers.

“Only one leader took up the offer and held discussions with us regarding the fate and hopes of workers in Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.

As for the tripartite meetings that involved the human resources ministry, he said the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) meeting was last held in 2020.

Kamarul Baharin Mansor.

“MTUC has not been invited by the government to any discussions on the reopening of economic sectors or matters pertaining to employment,” he said.

Kamarul said the current political crisis had further complicated the situation as leaders seemed to be uninterested in workers’ issues at the moment despite the high unemployment rate.

“Employees are having a hard time right now with salary and allowance cuts as well as unpaid leave. Others are being laid off as well. This shows that job security has declined greatly in Malaysia,” he said.

In this regard, he hoped the leadership crisis could be resolved as soon as possible to make room for economic recovery and to control the pandemic.- FMT