Govt contract workers sidelined under Budget 2022, says group

 

The recently tabled Budget 2022 has failed to take into account measures addressing problems faced by government contract workers, said a grassroots organisation representing the workers.

Despite prior engagements, the Network of Government Contract Workers (JPKK) said the government still failed to adequately compensate frontliners including cleaners, gardeners and security service staff in hospitals and schools, as well as contract medical officers.

"Even though they are working as frontliners who are exposed to threats of the pandemic, their contributions were left unappreciated, and in fact, their work conditions continue to be neglected.

"Findings of our research had been submitted to the Finance Ministry on Dec 18 last year and forwarded to the Special Select Committee on Finance and Economy, but we have not seen any indications of these issues (being addressed) in the budget announcement," said JPKK in a statement.

Among others, it said the government should honour provisions under Section 11 of the Labour Act 1955 which states that a permanent job, such as being done by the group of workers, must not be employed under a contract system.

Issues emerged after privatisation 

The group said longstanding issues affecting government cleaning and security workers started when the system was privatised in 1997, resulting in a loss of job security and annual increments under the contract system.

Mostly employed on minimum wage, the group said changes in private contractors every two to five years continue to victimise the workers.

"There are many who have been working for 20 years in the same building but yet are still haunted by a possible threat of being terminated at the end of their contract.

"Problems with their salary including unacceptable over time and annual leave rates and delayed payments remain an issue nationwide," added JPKK.

The group further noted that no announcement was made under Budget 2022 for an increase to the minimum wage of RM1,200.

Overall, it said relevant ministries including the Education Ministry and Health Ministry should take a more proactive role in protecting the rights of government contract workers.

In September, it was reported that 40 contract hospital cleaners assigned to work at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Ipoh, held a picket outside the psychiatric facility with several demands, including an equal RM30 salary increase.

Other examples include a school security guard who did not receive benefits equivalent to his 11 years of experience as he was made to sign a brand new contract every three years. - Mkini