bangkit.net

7TH OCTOBER 2008
8.30AM TO 11.30AM
DATARAN TIMUR – JALAN TIMUR, PETALING JAYA

(Near Amcorp Mall & Taman Jaya LRT Station)

More than 2000 workers will join the millions of workers world wide on 7th October 2008 to highlight the negative effects of globalization on working families.

All over the world multinational corporations use their power and influence on national governments to dismantle long established legal protection accorded to workers. Outsourcing and contract system is used as an effective tool to convert regular and permanent jobs into precarious work.

In our midst even the Government Linked Company, Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) has made hundreds of long serving employees redundant by appointing private contractors to provide the core services.

In Malaysia, Government has imposed unfair and unacceptable restrictions on trade unions which obstruct workers from freely joining a trade union. Although Government has ratified ILO convention 98 on rights to collective bargaining, appropriate labour legislations are not in place to comply with convention No 98.

MTUC delegation will meet with the Minister of Human Resources on 7th October 2008 at 12.30pm to present a memorandum highlighting the numerous threats faced by thousands of workers.

MTUC will ask the Minister to make substantial amendments to the Employment Act to empower the Department of Labour to inquire into complaints of unfair labour practices.

MTUC is demanding that Government stipulate a RM900 minimum monthly salary under the Employment Act. Currently there is no minimum wage requirement, which leaves employees at the mercy of employers.

MTUC sees Government’s laxed policies on importing foreign workers, as a deliberate strategy to suppress wages of Malaysian workers.

MTUC is also asking the Government to abolish recruitment of foreign workers through labour suppliers.