Hospital cleaners to demand rights in Penang-Putrajaya motor convoy

 

The National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services (NUWHSAS) will be running a motorcycle convoy from Feb 5 to 8

At the end of the convoy, which will start in Penang and end in Putrajaya, they intend to submit a memorandum to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin as a plea to protect the rights of contracted government hospital cleaners.

Their demands include abolishing the contract system, providing Covid-19 allowances to all government hospital staff and halting intimidation on members who are involved in workers’ unions.

At a press conference in Petaling Jaya today, NUWHSAS chairperson Roziah Mohammed Hashim said the aim of the convoy is for union members to visit hospitals in different states to collect complaint letters from unhappy hospital staff.

She said the members - who consist mostly of women - will be riding motorcycles to signify the level of income as it was difficult for these workers to obtain loans to purchase cars.

“80 percent of government hospital cleaners go to work riding a motorcycle. Motorcycles have become the main transport vehicle for cleaners.

“Because of their low incomes - approximately RM1,200 a month - the contract system that is renewed every year or two makes it difficult for them to get bank loans to buy cars or houses,” she said.

Approximately 18 to 20 hospitals will be visited during the four-day expedition.

Five memorandums sent

NUWHSAS executive secretary Sarasvathy Muthu added that the union had sent five memorandums to the Health Ministry since 2015 but no action has been taken.

This led to the inception of this campaign.

“Hospital cleaners are the backbone of the health industry, but the government has refused to address our concerns. They are the only ones who can help our situation through policy changes.

“Without hospital cleaners, what will happen to hospitals?” she said.

The union’s industry relations officer Chong Yee Shan added that the expenses for the trip will be borne upon the riders’ own pockets as they were passionate about the cause.

However, an NGO affiliated with the union has set up a crowdfund in the event the public wanted to donate for the expenses.

She said regular updates on how much has been raised will be updated on social media from time to time.

Those interested in donating may transfer funds to the Community Women & Workers Network Consultancy (CWWN) Public Bank account at 3209530324 with the reference “Motor”. - Mkini