An Umno Youth leader has taken a swipe at PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden's statement that teachers at PAS-linked Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam (Pasti) kindergartens are "volunteers" and it was not a kindergarten.
Umno executive council member Fadzmel Fadzil said the Alor Setar MP's argument, first made in Parliament earlier this week, could set a dangerous precedent on workers’ welfare.
"Afnan's argument that Pasti teachers are volunteers and that it is not a kindergarten is dangerous.
"If Pasti teachers are only volunteers, does it mean that other organisations can pay their workers' salaries without following the (labour) act because they are also volunteers?
"Isn't this playing with the law that was agreed upon together?" asked Fadzmel (above) in a statement today.
Afnan was previously reported to have asked why the Human Resources Ministry and the Labour Department Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) are investigating Pasti even though all the teachers were "volunteers".
He also questioned the reasons behind the action taken against Pasti after 40 years of operations.
Afnan, at the time, said that although Pasti teachers were volunteers and not employees, they were paid compensation.
Meanwhile, Fadzmel also refuted Afnan’s argument that Pasti teachers served as volunteers due to their devotion to the party.
"There is evidence of official letters, including termination of employment, that refer to them as teachers and not party volunteers.
"So, to what extent does the PAS leadership want to lie in order to protect the interests of those who oppress the welfare of teachers by hiding behind religion?" he asked.
Fadzmel further questioned whether Pasti’s operations as a party programme would mean that any party can instil party doctrine in young children.
"What about young children if their welfare is not legally protected when Pasti is recognised as not a school?" he asked in urging PAS to be fair to its teachers.
"PAS needs to find funds regardless of whether it is contribution of party members and leaders or through companies owned by its supporters so that at least they can get a monthly salary above the minimum wage level," he said.
Fadzmel added that Afnan, PAS leaders and their supporters need to look at the Pasti issue from a positive and humanitarian point of view, rather than from a political lens.
"The main issue is to defend the rights of workers and the future of Pasti students.
“Don’t create excuses to cover up the shortcomings of Pasti’s management under your PAS Youth leadership," he stressed.
Coming under authorities’ radar
The authorities were previously reported to have paid attention to the PAS network of kindergartens and schools regarding the alleged salary dispute involving its teachers.
According to a memo from JKTSM, all branches of the office have been tasked with checking Pasti, as well as the Sekolah Rendah and Sekolah Menengah Integrasi Teras Islam (Sriti and Smiti).
The move is said to determine the employment status of teachers and staff at educational institutions sponsored by PAS, or more specifically the party's youth wing.
The institutions involved are not legally registered as schools, day-care centres or kindergartens.
A few hours after the memo was posted on social media, Sri Gading MP Aminolhuda Hassan asked Human Resources Minister Steven Sim to explain the directive in Parliament.
Sim, however, did not confirm or deny that JTKSM was investigating the educational facilities provided by PAS.
Instead, he warned that the ministry would take action if workers' rights were not respected regardless of political background. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.