Government’s foreign worker policy denies women gainful employment

MTUC appreciates DPM Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s efforts to increase employment opportunities for Malaysian women. However, there is no need to amend the 1955 Employment Act to promote flexible working time or working from home. There is nothing in the law to prevent such practices.

Employment Act Outdated
Indeed the Employment Act is outdated. The minimum standards law still promotes 48 hours working week and allows widespread discrimination in comparison with employees in the public sector. Last week the Labour Department ruled that an employer in Nibong Tebal was right in refusing to pay for treatment given by the company appointed medical practitioner. Our Labour Department says that under the law the employer is required to pay for consultation only.

Improve Minimum Standards
Therefore there is an urgent need to amend the Employment Act to reduce the 48 hour working time, increase the annual leave, sick leave, public holidays and healthcare benefits. Most importantly Government must establish a minimum wage.

Stop flooding the country with foreign workers
Datuk Seri Najib as the Chairman of Foreign Workers Task Force should stop flooding the country with foreign workers. As a first step, government should abolish the licenses issued to 225 foreign labour suppliers. As long as the government continues its policy of issuing unlimited work permits without assessing the Labour market needs, government will not be able to encourage employers to employ Malaysian women.

Employers who have no consideration for corporate social responsibility would prefer cheap foreign labour that can be hired and fired without notice. Their only consideration is profits.

22nd August 2008

PM SLAMS KHALID OVER CALL TO OPEN UITM TO NON-BUMIS

(NEW STRAITS TIME HEADLINES ON 13TH AUGUST 2008)
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi’s reaction against Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s suggestion to allocate 10% of the student intake to non-bumiputra’s is indeed most shocking. Prime Minister’s strong opposition against Khalid’s call has revealed that Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi’s public assurances that all Malaysians will have a stake in the countries development agenda is merely a political statement. His outburst against Khalid Ibrahim confirms that he never meant to be fair to all Malaysians irrespective of race.

Congratulations Tan Sri Khalid for your broadminded approach. I agree with you that the training and skilled development opportunity accorded to non bumis will ultimately benefit the nation.

Controversy Over Terengganu Government’s Purchase Of Luxury Cars

Terengganu MB justified his decision to purchase a fleet of Mercedes because of the exhorbitant maintenance cost of Perdana V6. Former MB Idris says the figure quoted was not quite accurate.

It is strange that no one under the previous Terengganu Government made any effort to find out why the maintenance cost was skyhigh. Was it justified? The MB or any of his officials could have summoned Proton’s MD to explain. No one did anything. One of the authorised agents boldly admits that he imposed a 25% additional charge because the Government took up to 3 months to settle the bills.

At the nationally televised TV debate, Anwar said, Government can easily find a billion ringgit by merely plugging leakages in Government spendings. This controversy proves Anwar’s assertion is true.

Government Had Never Once Failed The People

The people must have confidence in the government’s ability to overcome any form of crisis, including the price hikes in oil and food. He said the government had proven time and again that it had never once failed the people

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop
NST July 27,2008

It is true Government never failed the people once but many times.

During the 1998 financial crisis thousands of workers lost their jobs. Out of that at least 10,000 workers were thrown out without any notice and without any compensation for their long service. Government failed miserably to enforce the laws on payment of termination benefits.

Since then thousands more been cheated of their entitlement and the Government has done nothing whatsoever to put in place appropriate social safety nets to take care of workers affected by such measures by unscrupulous employers.

In May 2008, 100 workers were deprived of their jobs by Yong Kam Fook Plastics in Shah Alam. Many workers with 15 to 25 years left empty handed.

In July 2008 the Penang based Niko Electronics shut down and left 947 workers jobless. Again the employer absconded without any payment to the workers.

Mr Finance Minister these are only few examples of Government’s failure.

Labour Outsourcing Promotes Corruption, Cheating And Discrimination

Two Ministries are involved in bringing in migrant workers into the country. The Ministry of Human Resources has repeatedly asserted that under the Trade Union Act migrant workers are allowed to join a union.

But the Immigration Department vested with powers to issue work permits under the Immigration Act stipulate a series of condition in the Work Permit – one of which says migrant workers are not allowed to join any association.

Three years ago a group of workers from Bangladesh who were not union members, sought and obtained a favourable ruling from the Industrial Court which stated that wages and working conditions stipulated under the Collective Agreement should be accorded to all migrant workers as well, irrespective of their union membership status. Employer appealed against the decision all the way to the High Court and Court of Appeal and lost.

Following that case Government changed the recruitment procedure. Government licensed 226 Migrant Labour suppliers who have brought in more than 500,000 workers and supply them to many employers.

So the revelation of Enforcement Director on Sunday 20 July, 2008 confirms that Government deliberately created the Labour supplier system so that employers who actually engage their services will be permitted to apply discriminatory practices with impunity

Recent arrest of senior officials of Immigration Department and others linked with them by the anti corruption Agency appears to show that the Labour outsourcing system is promoting corruption at the expense of migrant workers. So it is understandable that Immigration Officials would defend the system.

It is now obvious that employers, especially major corporations, have played an influential role in the introduction of the labour supplier system.

Petronas to pay govt RM 6b special dividend

For the first time, Petroliam Nasional Bhd will be paying a special dividend of RM 6 billion to the government, bringing total payments to RM 67.6 million this year”

NST – July 16th.

With RM 67 billion, Government can easily reduce fuel price and put a lid on inflation.

By using the special dividend of RM 6 billion government can reduce the fuel price by 50 cents per litre which will remove a huge burden imposed on working families and industries.

Increase in freight charges and electricity tariffs have increased production costs: Manufacturers have to pass on this cost to the consumers. Furthermore with the increase cost our products may not be able to compete in the global market.

PLUG LEAKAGES

As Anwar eloquently told the nation during the televised debate on 15th July 2008, Government should plug leakages of funds through corruption, over payments, enriching cronies and such other abusive practices.

IPP’s benefit at the expense of people

Anwar disclosed that as a result of Govt’s long term contracts biased in favour of IPP’s, TNB is compelled to buy power at exorbitant cost and hold a reserve of 40% more than our requirement. Anwar asserted nowhere in the world this happens.

He argues that by reducing the reserve to 20% TNB will be able to save RM 1 billion.

PM’s Anti inflation Committee

PM is guilty of creating inflation and having done that he is now talking about steps to control inflation and provide handouts to affected rural families. By now Malaysians know fully well that PM’s statements are nothing more than mere rhetoric.

Police roadblocks create massive jam

Police said the roadblocks will continue as they have been ‘successful’.

What do they mean? They were successful in creating massive jams? Creating breakdowns? Ensuring that most people did not report for work on time? Disrupting production and productivity and finally and most importantly disrupting the right to dissent.

15 July 2008

Visa Bribe Arrests

“ACA detains top immigration officer“ “Two Datuks also held in major swoop“

Putrajaya: A top officer of the Immigration Department has been arrested for allegedly accepting bribes to issue visas to foreign workers.” - NST 12 July 2008

Syabas ACA

I congratulate ACA for their courage and determination to end the corruption and abusive behaviour of those in power at the Immigration Department. This corrupt practices has been going on for more than ten years and the issuance of licences two years ago to more than 200 foreign worker suppliers, has worsened the level of corruption.

The new policy on foreign workers recruitment opened the doors wide to promote widespread corruption. As the ACA Chief rightly stated the rot goes all the way to the top not only threatening national security but also threatening job opportunities and decent livelihood for Malaysians.

Whilst the officers and their collecting agents pocketed millions of Ringgits as bribes, the Government was saddled with huge expenses to feed tens of thousands of so called illegal workers.

BAN Labour outsourcing system MTUC has repeatedly called upon the Government to ban the foreign workers outsourcing system, which has subjected workers brought into the country to extreme hardship.

MTUC has received hundreds of complaints from foreign workers on cheating, non payment of wages, poor working conditions and host of other issues. Labour suppliers issue ‘permits’ and collect RM8000 to RM10,000 which was later said to be forged documents. The poor foreign worker end up in detention camps despite paying out huge sums of money.

Therefore MTUC urge the Government to immediately withdraw the licences issued to the more than 200 foreign workers outsourcing companies – mostly just RM2.00 companies. This will be the most essential step to help ACA to end the scourge.

14 July 2008

Allegation Against Anwar - Is Najib involved?

“There’s no conspiracy. Actually, this boy came to me to complain that he was sodomised by Anwar……I advised him to make his own decision”
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak - Star 4 July 08

Najib’s denial indeed confirms Anwar Ibrahim’s allegation of conspiracy at the top level in order to kill his political ambition. The top leaders are fully aware of the implications if Anwar succeeds. So, it is only natural that those who are in the ivory tower do not want to come down.

It is unbelievable that it was so easy for Saiful to meet up with the country’s number 2 man to discuss a personal issue. Even a major organization like MTUC could not even get a reply from the DPM to attend MTUC Labour day Celebration on 1st May 2008.

Mtuc Rejects Government’s Proposal To Reduce Workers Contribution To EPF

Government’s proposal to reduce employees rate of contribution to the KWSP from 11% to 9% in order to improve workers’ purchasing power, in our view will not be of much help.

If Government’s proposal is implemented, workers earning RM 1000 will have a paltry sum of RM 20.00 per month. Whereas transportation cost alone has gone up by 40%.

Secondly, workers savings in the KWSP for old age benefit remains low. Therefore, we do not think it is proper to further reduce their savings.



UNIONS TO DEMAND COLA TO ALLEVIATE HARDSHIP CAUSED BY 41% FUEL PRICE HIKE

Most employers in the private sector have ignored workers’ request for a cost of living allowance submitted two years ago. Following the hefty 41% fuel price hike announced on the 4th of June 2008, trade unions are insisting that employers and Government can no longer remain indifferent to the extreme hardship imposed on millions of workers in the country.

Government has also approved TNB’ request to raise electricity tariffs from 1st July. This will not only burden the individual consumers but all the industries in the country. To recoup their cost, industries will raise the price of their products.

Government expects the people to understand the necessity to raise fuel price based on global price increase. Similarly government should take definite steps to ensure that employers raise workers income level to keep up with the substantial increase in cost of living.

Trade unions are convinced that aside from making public statements, Government will not be able to control the price hike on food and other essential services.

Government should intervene and facilitate negotiations at national level to get private sector employers to pay a Cost of Living Allowance. MTUC has requested the Human Resource Minister to initiate discussion.

MTUC Labour Bulletin
June 2008

Isu Gaji Minima Yang Dikemukan Di Dewan Rakyat

SOALAN:

IR. HAJI HAMIM BIN SAMURI (Ledang) meminta MENTERI SUMBER MANUSIA menyatakan bilakah kerajaan akan menguatkuasakan gaji minima dalam semua sektor pekerjaan memandangkan permintaan kuat keatasnya sekarang.

JAWAPAN: YB MENTERI SUMBER MANUSIA

Kadar gaji sektor swasta di negara ini ditentukan mengikut kuasa pasaran(market forces). Penetapan ini dibuat berdasarkan kepada permintaan dan penawaran(supply and demand). Ini bagi memastikan negara sentiasa kompetitif dalam persaingan ekonomi diperingkat global. Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Yearbook pada tahun 2007 melaporkan bahawa kedudukan Malaysia adalah di tempat ke-23 daripada 55 buah negara dari aspek daya saing. Berdasarkan kepada laporan tersebut, kedudukan ini perlu diperbaiki dan elemen-elemen peningkatan kos tanpa peningkatan produktiviti perlu dielakkan.

Tiga cara yang digunapakai oleh kerajaan untuk penetapan gaji adalah melalui kuasa pasaran (market forces), Perjanjian Kolektif(Collective Agreement) dan Majlis Penetapan Gaji(MPG). Majlis Penetapan Gaji ditubuhkan di bawah Akta Majlis Penetapan Gaji 1947 bagi golongan pekerja yang mudah terjejas (vulnerable) iaitu yang bekerja di sektor di mana tiada satu mekanisma yang berkesan dalam menetapkan gaji dan syarat pekerjaan. Sehingga kini, kerajaan telah menubuhkan 11 MPG yang akan menetapkan gaji minima dan syarat-syarat pekerjaan bagi golongan pekerja dalam sektor-sektor yang ditentukan. Kerajaan akan sentiasa mengkaji dan menentukan gaji minima mengikut sektor pekerjaan, sekiranya terdapat keperluan untuk penubuhan tersebut.

Kerajaan berpendapat bahawa penetapan gaji minima kebangsaan (National MinimumWage) untuk semua sektor pekerjaan adalah kurang wajar pada masa ini. Ini kerana sebarang peningkatan kos dalam menjalankan perniagaan di Malaysia akan menjejaskan daya saing negara dalam menarik pelaburan asing ke Malaysia dan mengekalkan pelabur-pelabur sedia ada.

Selaras dengan hasrat agenda pembangunan negara, kerajaan sedang mempromosikan sistem upah yang dikaitkan dengan produktiviti (Productivity Linked Wages System-PLWS). Dasar ini bertujuan menjamin daya saing negara di samping menyumbang kepada peningkatan kualiti hidup pekerja.

MTUC’s comment

Trade unions are thankful to YB IR Haji Hamim Bin Samuri for expressing concerns on government’s failure to establish a national minimum wage for all workers in the country.

Human Resources Minister’s response is illogical and ridiculous.

Human Resources Minister is concerned that world Competitiveness Year Book has listed Malaysia at 23^rd place out of 55 countries and he has stressed the need to improve that.

Is the Human Resources Minister suggesting that wage levels should be further reduced?

Human Resources Minister in his reply to Hj Hamim has stated that Malaysia has established 11 wages councils, especially to help workers in vulnerable sectors. He has said “Government will always study, review and determine minimum wages’.

Let us review how our government has reviewed the minimum wages set by wages councils over the last 25 years.

Sectors with a Minimum Wage

• Hotel and catering- Minimum monthly wage of RM 185 for those 18 years and above since 1982.
  
• Cinema workers- Minimum monthly wage of RM 175 for tickets sellers, mechanics, technicians, electricians and carpenters for cinemas with four daily showings since 1981.
  
• Cargo handlers and lighter men- Minimum monthly wage of RM 120 for hatch men since 1977.
  
• Shop assistants- Minimum monthly wage of RM 250 for those 21 years and above in the Klang Valley since 1981.

It is obvious government has turned a blind eye to the plight of workers under the above sectors. They have failed miserably in managing the wages councils. Human Resources Minister has stated that a National Minimum wage for all sectors is not necessary.

Is the cost of fuel different depending on the sector one is employed? Is the cost of food and essential commodities made available at different prices dependent on the sector one is employed?

Government claims that wage levels have to be suppressed in order not increase the cost of doing business. How will the new electricity tariffs effect the cost of production and competitiveness? Has the Government given thought to the far reaching implications on the industries?

MTUC urge the Government to be more logical and considerate.

G.Rajasekaran
Secretary General MTUC

Fuel Hike - There will be inflation and the standard of living will go down

“The Government has now announced an increase in petrol price by 78 sen to RM2.70 per litre, an increase of more than 40 per cent.

I may be mistaken but there seems to be fewer vehicles on the road today. But obviously that is not all that will happen. All other consumer goods, services and luxury goods would increase in price.

The cost of living must go up. Put another way there will be inflation and the standard of living will go down.

Obviously our increase in petrol price is far less than in the United Kingdom or the United States. But our per capita income is about one-third of theirs. In purchasing power terms our increase is more than in the UK or the US.

The increase hurts but the pain is greater not just because of the increase percentage-wise is higher than in developed countries but because of the manner the increase is made.”

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohd

June 5, 2005

Malaysians know that in the 22 years as PM, Mahathir never imposed an exorbitant hike on fuel price. He understood its implications and his responsibility to the people. Unfortunately Abdullah believes only his rhetoric. On Saturday he said ‘steps to be taken to ensure prices of essential goods remain affordable”. Even before the 40 per cent hike, price of rice, a staple food of Malaysians, went up by almost 50 percent. Domestic Trade Minister Datuk Sharir is reported to have assured Malaysians that prices of fuel will stay until March.

After watching the events of the past 10 days Sharir’s assurance is unbelievable.

Maintaining the subsidy would not hurt the Government finances

“Roughly Malaysia produces 650,000 barrels of crude per day. We consume 400,000 barrels leaving 250,000 barrels to be exported.

Our 250,000 barrels of export should earn us 250,000 x 100 x 365 x 3 = RM27,375,000,000 (twenty seven billion Ringgit).

But Petronas made a profit of well over RM70 billion, all of which belong to the Government.

By all accounts the Government is flushed with money.

But besides petrol the prices of palm oil, rubber and tin have also increased by about 400 per cent. Plantation companies and banks now earn as much as RM3 billion in profits each. Taxes paid by them must have also increased greatly.

I feel sure that maintaining the subsidy and gradually decreasing it would not hurt the Government finances.”

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohd

June 5, 2008

9^th June 2008

Discrimination of Retirement Age

Dear Saudari,

Thank you for your message regarding retirement age for employees in the private sector. No response from PM. Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has not even acknowledged our March 2007 memorandum on retirement age. By now we have come to realise that Abdullah believes rhetorics rather than action.

Abdullah makes it appear that he is the Prime Minister for Public Sector only and insofar as wages and working conditions for the private sector he has to seek the approval of large corporations, especially Multinational Corporations. He thinks if he makes any move without their consent they will punish him by not investing in Malaysia.

It is most unfortunate that we have a PM who is most inconsiderate. We would probably be better off seeking the support of the Human Resources Minister and that has to be MTUC's stretegy to resolve this issue. We would also seek the support of Parliament, especially members of Pakatan Rakyat.

Best Regards.

G. Rajasekaran
www.grajasekaran.blogspot.com


On 6/2/08, Normah Bahari wrote:


Tuan Syed Shahir bin Syed Mohamud - MTUC President
Mr G. Rajasekaran - MTUC Secretary General

Sirs ,

Since the Memorandum for Extension of Retirement Age sent to Prime Minister in March 2007 , there is not much said about it.

Public Sectors Workers have been granted Extension of Compulsory Retirement Age effective 1/7/2008.
Malaysian Employers Federation have given statement they prefer 55 Years for Private Sectors Workers.
MEF do not care . MEF priorities are Investors and Employers . MEF will make sure Employers get maximum advantage at the expense of Employees .

How about MTUC ? MTUC CARES AND WILL FIGHT FOR WORKERS ....

Private Sectors Workers have been treated like Second Class Citizen . Every Malaysian have their share of Contributions towards Country Growth and Developments and Government should recognise that . Private Sectors Workers are being denied and deprived many benefits enjoyed by Public Sectors Workers.

Extension of Compulsory Retirement Age for Workers should be implemented immediately and Legislate for all workers of Malaysia .

MTUC have to fight the above Issue for the Working Class . Memorandum for Extension of Retirement Age should be sent to Parliament to be heard . Employment Act on Retirement Age should be Amended immediately .

All Labours of Malaysia should have Common Retirement Age .


Private Sectors Workers NEED JUSTICE and MTUC will champion all Private Sectors Workers plights..

Thank you and regards.
Normah Bahari

Petrol Price RM 2.70 – up 41%, Electricity tariffs up from July 1

Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi has now established himself as the most inconsiderate and uncaring Prime Minister of the country.

Abdullah has shocked the nation with a 41% increase in the price of petrol. With the global increase Malaysians generally expected some increase soon but no one expected the rise from RM 1.92 to RM 2.70 per litre.

To make the burden even more severe, Government has approved TNB’s plan to raise electricity tariffs from July 1. Just a day earlier Government announced the removal of ceiling price on chicken and allows traders to manipulate as they wish.

Malaysia has a petroleum exporting country substantially benefit from the sharp increase in the price of petroleum in the world market and all Malaysians have the right to expect their Government to use part of the increased petroleum profits to subsidize the price of petrol.

Government’s announcement demonstrates their uncaring approach. The steep increase not only will affect our driving habits but will have a serious spiraling effect on cost of transport, food, other commodities and generally have an impact on our standard of living.

It is easy for Abdullah to shout from the ivory towers that Malaysians should change their lifestyle and learn to bear the burden imposed on them calmly because the tax payers make sure that the PM’s lifestyle is not affected in anyway.

Wages

Having imposed an unbearable burden o the people a caring Prime Minister would have taken the trouble to advise the employers in the private sector to urgently consider a special wage increase or a cost of living allowance. Unfortunately Abdullah did not even utter a word on the matter.

Widespread abuse of VSS by employers

“Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam has warned companies not to use voluntary separation schemes (VSS) to replace staff with foreign workers” - .

NST 4 June 2008

Employers, especially MNCs are taking undue advantage of Government’s flexible policies. French multinational company Lafarge Cement in Rawang announced a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) to reduce the workforce. When the company found that applicants for so called VSS fell short of three persons, despite numerous appeals by the union, company terminated the two long serving employees as well.

Having eliminated 23 workers the company invited contractors to bring in 30 workers and run the operation.

British American Tobacco

Tobacco giant, British American Tobacco carried out VSS exercise to eliminate 15 employees from the maintenance section. Eight employees did not apply to leave under the VSS and expressed their preference to continue working.

BAT terminated the 8 and appointed a contractor to bring in workers to manage the maintenance section. Union believes that the outsourced system cost BAT more.

HR Minister must make good on his promise to stop such abuse.

In 1998 Govt established procedures under the Employment Act to require employers to notify the nearest Labour Department of any termination, including under VSS.

Are the employers complying with this requirement? What does the Labour Department do to ensure that retrenchments are genuine? Trade unions have complained that the Labour Department does not make a genuine effort to investigate the termination exercise. Labour Department’s indifference over a long period of time has encouraged unscrupulous employers to act in breach of Labour Laws and policies.

Working from home to increase women participation in the workforce

The suggestion by Human Resources Minister to allow working from home concept deserves consideration. It is not an impossible plan – this has been implemented in many developed countries.

As ably argued by Datuk Dr. Subramaniam, this concept will increase women participation in the workforce. This will also help to address the ever rising graduate unemployment figures.

Many developed countries also see this as a way to cut costs of office rentals. If properly and fairly implemented this approach can also reduce government’s effort to reduce dependency on foreign workers.

Wages Councils to determine Minimum Wage

Since 1949 MTUC has demanded that Government establish a national minimum wage. However, this issue was prominently highlighted by MTUC since 1998 and again in June 2007.

Human Resources Minister is now saying that Government prefers to establish wages councils to study and fix minimum wage rates on a sectorial basis.

Sectors with a Minimum Wage

v Hotel and catering (amended in 1982) Minimum monthly wage of RM 185 for those 18 years and above.

v Cinema workers (amended in 1981) Minimum monthly wage of RM 175 for tickets sellers, mechanics, technicians, electricians and carpenters for cinemas with four daily showings.

v Cargo handlers and lightermen (amended in 1977) Minimum monthly wage of RM 120 for hatchmen.

v Shop assistants (amended in 1981) Minimum monthly wage of RM 250 for those 21 years and above in the Klang Valley.

MTUC has strong reservations on the practicability of wages councils. Looking at the table here above it is not difficult to comprehend the reasons for MTUC’s suspicion and concern. The existing wages councils have remained dormant (even dead) for 25 to 30 years.

Notwithstanding the bad experience, trade unions in the country would be prepared to consider HR Minister’s proposal as a way to resolve this longstanding issue.

A number of unions representing workers in the manufacturing sector feel that the Minister should immediately set up a wages council for the manufacturing sector. This will extend to more than 2 million workers in the country and be the forerunner to set up a decent minimum wage.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi’s Rhetoric

“First, we have hard the voice of our citizens, and I will dedicate myself, in this second term, to healing the divisions which became evident during the campaign. That will mean developing new and concrete initiatives, not just rhetoric………………..”

Published in the Asian Wall Street Journal on 11 March 2008

There is no sign he is listening and responding. Since he took over as Prime Minister the MTUC submitted four memorandums on the impact of fuel price increase and escalation of living costs, 30% to 60% increase in toll charges, proposal for a national minimum wage and the need to raise the compulsory retirement age for workers.

His failure to respond to any of the above legitimate demands shows that he is neither listening nor responding

Labour Outsourcing is akin to slave labour

Foreign labour outsourcing system implemented over two years ago has reintroduced the outlawed centuries-old slave labour system in the country. Government is well aware of the widespread abuses openly practiced by the Foreign Worker agencies, but have not taken firm action to stop the abuse.

The immigration authorities under the Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) often highlight the abusive practices but they only penalize the victims.

MTUC has reported numerous cases of non-payment of wages, breach of employment contract and beatings by thugs engaged by outsourcing agents. Unfortunately the Human Resources Ministry has not taken steps to stop the foreign labour outsourcing system, which is seen by many as a lucrative way to enrich themselves at the expense of ‘slave labourers’.

Inflation rate hits three per cent

Rising food prices, including that of milk cheese, eggs and vegetables, pushed the inflation rate in April to three per cent a year, the highest in 15 months. (NST May 22, 2008)

Unfortunately, these official statistics do not seem to convince Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that MTUC’s proposal for a minimum wage deserves Government’s consideration. Prime Minister did not make any mention of the hardships faced by wage earners in his speech to the 10,000 workers who attended the Workers’ Day Celebration organized by the Ministry of Human Resources. Instead responding to reporters’ questions, Abdullah rudely dismissed MTUC’s request stating that “we have to seek the view of many people. This is important to me. But they should understand they can have 100 demonstrations, but if we can’t implement it, we can’t. It is as simple as that.”

He said “if we increase pay, prices of goods will go up. What is the point of increasing pay if prices go up?”

Prime Minister’s response shows clearly that he is oblivious to the hardship encountered by millions of workers.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi who repeatedly lectures public sector employees on the importance of delivery system has failed to realize that he does not practice what he is preaching.

Prime Minister has not even acknowledged MTUC’s seven page memorandum on minimum wage submitted on 18^th June 2007.

Dr. M’s resignation a cunning ploy?

Tun Dr Mahathir’s resignation from UMNO is a cunning ploy to divert the nation’s attention away from the Royal Commission’s findings and recommendation on the VK Lingam Video tape.

In the 22 years as Prime Minister Mahathir has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to excel in crisis situation – sometimes created to suit the occasion.

The report places Dr. M at the centre of the whole episode and has categorically held him responsible for failure to adhere to the constitutional provisions relating to the appointment of judges.

As always Dr. M’s strategy worked. Media headlines are now focused away from the Royal Commission’s recommendation and the follow up action that can lead to criminal prosecution against the villains involved.

Mahathir plays the race card. Dr. M lamented that the UMNO was no longer the same as that established 62 years ago. He seems to have forgotten that twenty years ago he had single-handedly destroyed the 62 year old UMNO. Having failed to convince UMNO members, in his desperation he is playing the race card.