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8^th. October 2006, Cheras

This morning, the CHG workers had an emergency meeting and decided to call off their strike after their employer decided to pay their salary within the next four days. It was a hard decision to make after the workers were all frustrated and geared to go on strike but the strike action has been postponed for now.

Last week, the 200 odd workers decided to put down their tools once again if the company refuses to pay their wages by 7 ^th. October 2006. This message was clearly related to the management on the 2nd. of October. The workers took this strong decision after the company failed to abide the Employment law, which stipulates workers wages must be paid by 7 ^th. of each month.

This is not the first time that the Company has not paid on time and this late payment has been going on for some time. Nevertheless, the company did not take the workers threat to go on strike tomorrow lightly as they have seen how the workers have on previous occasion laid down their tools.

“We had it enough, our workers have nothing left, we have pawned all our valuables, we cannot go on like this, we have to do something”, this is the frustration of one of the unionists working at CHG Plywood Sdn. Bhd. These sentiments were also expressed by other workers as the festival seasons are just weeks away.

“I haven’t been able to pay my house loan for past few months and I have received many notice from the bank and I am really worried. Since last one year we are suffering, wages are paid very late, our overtime claims for past one year not paid, no salary increment for past 3 years, and all these worries me”. This is the cry of another women worker whose husband is also working in the same factory.

This violation has been continuing for almost a year. One can’t expect the workers to be tolerant forever!!

Background

CHG Plywood Sdn. Bhd located at 8^th. Mile Jalan Cheras, 43200 Cheras is in existence for almost 4 decades. Since the beginning of 2005 the problem started. Workers not getting wages on time, they’re overtime not paid, no pay rise and their expired CA is not yet renewed!!

The workers picketed against the company in last December and 6 days strike in Mac 2006. Several labor reports were made. All attempts only granted shorter victory. The struggle has since continued.

Nevertheless, today the workers called of their intention to lay down their tools upon the company’s plea and promise that 70% of their wages would be settled within 4 days. Another 30% will be paid in the following week. For the workers, this is a victory because normally they get ¼ of their salary by mid month and the balance by the end of the month.

The decision to call off the strike today was a split decision but the workers have decided to give the company another week to make the payment, failing which the strike action would be imminent. JERIT- the Network of the oppressed people in relation to this said that they would support whatever decision taken by the workers and would try to get other workers groups and Unions to support the CHG workers.