Tuesday October 18, 2011

Transforming the nations labour practices

I REFER to MTUC protests legalisation of modern-day slavery (The Star, Oct 17) and was thinking deeply on the labour policy scenario now and its impact in the future. The labour force and labour-related institutions in Malaysia have mixed reactions to this current development. Industrial relations in Malaysia has had a long and rich history, stretching beyond independence. The current effective labour policies, the state of goodwill of labour and employer unions, and the balanced mediating government role that we now enjoy are due to the wonderful industrial relations we inherited from past leaders who had sacrificed to create such harmony. I am witnessing a trajectory of liberalisation efforts by the Government in many critical sectors such as education, agriculture, international trade, foreign investment and, now, in the labour market. These include the allowing of immigrant workers in key sectors, immigrants legalisation programme, having a council to develop recommendations on minimum wage, extending the retirement age in both the private and public sectors and the proposed amendments to the Employment Act 1955 with regard to contract labour. These efforts are in line with developments taking place in the world labour market, mainly driven by high labour mobility and the changes in the labour force compositions in both the developing and developed nations. These developments demand more liberalisation of labour policies, greater flexibility in work permits and levies, balancing the composition of young and mature workers, gender ratios in the workforce, fairer practices for contingent workforce, transforming the wage structure, identifying critical sectors under the national agenda and retaining talent in critical sectors. Research shows that female representation is approximately 36% of the total labour force, the majority age group (57%) employed being 25 to 44 years, and as well as enormous growth in employment in the services sector, which comprises 49.5% of total employment, followed by industry (36%) and agriculture (14.5%). If we want to transform agriculture and exploit its business potential, then employement conditions in the agri-related business has to be attractive. The liberalisation of the labour market has its importance in the Governments Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

The ETP is aimed at giving birth to a high-income nation by 2020. Simple mathematics will show that the uphill task of making the nation a high-income one will indirectly push household incomes higher including all levels of workers income. The ever growing concern posed by the US and European economies have to be dealt with great care as they have an impact on the international trade of our country. Small and medium enterprises and multi-national corporations should look into innovative ways to improve the competitiveness of our products and services in the global market. We can make it only through greater effort and commitment in transforming the labour market into a talent-based one. Dr SHANKAR CHELLIAH, George Town.

Friday June 8, 2012

Over-restrictive policies
KUCHING: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has urged the Government to adopt a more liberal approach to trade union registration, recognition and representation if it is serious in efforts to achieve the dream of a high-income nation. MTUC Sarawak Division secretary Andrew Lo (pic) said there was a clear correlation between low wages, low productivity economy and stifled trade union movement.We have seen evidence in countries where unions are strong, effective and independent that real wages increased while the industries and enterprises flourished where profitability and productivity is among the highest, he added. Lo said in fact a trade union could actually enhance the economic status of its members, improved working conditions, boosted workers productivity and job value and provided protection against discrimination and unfair treatment.As such it is imperative that we need to strengthen the trade union movement by adopting a more liberal approach to the whole issue of trade union registration, recognition and representation if we are to achieve our vision of a high-income nation, he added. MTUC would assist in providing assistance to anyone who wishes to form a union, he said in a press statement to welcome the strong support, including from ministers and some employers on the proposed set up of a union for general workers in the state.MTUC is pleased with the strong support, he said, adding that: A general union would help to streamline protection and interests of workers not covered under other unions..Unfortunately, according to Lo the restrictive Trade Unions Act did not allow general unions for workers, adding: Membership of any trade union is confined to only those who are employees of a particular industry, establishment, trade and occupation. He cited as an example that a bank employee could only be a member of a banking union.The bank employee could not be a member of an airline union or teachers union while a hotel employee, a timber worker or a labourer could not be members of the same union, he said. For enterprise or in-house union, Lo said membership was confined to employees of that particular establishment or company - employees of the companys subsidiary or an associate company could not join that union.

Lo said temporary workers, contract workers including foreign workers could actually join union as members. However, he said most of the workers were reluctant to join a union for fear that their contract might not be renewed or work permit cancelled, making it difficult for a union to represent them. Trade union effectiveness in securing descent collective agreements and to protect workers are restricted because the union must first be able prove by secret ballot that the majority of the eligible employees are its members.Its a very cumbersome process and disputes normally take years to resolve. Even if the union finally obtains the necessary recognition to represent the workers, the ability to negotiate for better benefits is further restricted as it is virtually impossible for a union to strike. Lo alleged that the Trade Unions director-general had wide powers to control trade unions, adding: He (director-general) has adopted a very restrictive policy that had stifled the growth of trade unions.

Wednesday January 9, 2013

Cuepacs to rope in its 1.4 million members to join SP1M

By ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD zuhrinazam@thestar.com.my

Its official: Cuepacs members showing their new SP1M cards after the launch in Putrajaya

Its official: Cuepacs members showing their new SP1M cards after the launch in Putrajaya.PUTRAJAYA: Cuepacs will rope in its 1.4 million members to join the Skuad Pengguna 1Malaysia (SP1M) to make the voice of the consumers even louder. If all Cuepacs members could join the squad, there would be a bigger group in the country with a louder voice to protect consumers' interests and rights, Cuepacs president Datuk Omar Osman said. It is only when consumers join forces that we can expect the traders and service providers treat us with respect, he said after the presentation of SP1M cards to Cuepacs members from the Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor here yesterday.The cards were presented by Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim. Omar said so far, about 10,000 Cuepacs members had joined the squad since it launching in March last year. Rohani said having stronger consumerism bodies was important as Malaysia march towards becoming a developed nation in 2020. In several developed countries, the consumers are the market forces and they dictate what is best for them, she said.