A motorcycle convoy of mainly female workers from the National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services (NUWHSAS) has kicked off its journey to Putrajaya from Penang today.
The convoy is scheduled to end in Putrajaya in three days when the workers submit a memorandum to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin as a plea to protect the rights of contracted government hospital cleaners.
They are starting with six motorcycles but numbers are expected to grow as they make pit stops at other government hospitals along the way.
The group's demands include abolishing the contract system, providing Covid-19 allowances to all government hospital staff and halting intimidation on members involved in workers’ unions.
At a press conference in Petaling Jaya last month, 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 their level of income as it was difficult for these workers to obtain loans to purchase cars.
“Some 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 income - 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,” Roziah added.
Approximately 18 to 20 hospitals will be visited during the expedition.
NUWHSAS executive secretary Sarasvathy Muthu said that the union had sent five memorandums to the Health Ministry since 2015 but no action has been taken.
“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 added.
Expenses for the trip will be borne by the riders themselves. - Mkini
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