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NUPW secretary general Datuk G. Sankaran, who presented the certificate of appreciation
to the journalist, said the union valued his efforts in highlighting various issues
pertaining to the welfare of the estate workers. </P>
<P>Through his writing, Sankaran
said, the public had been provided with vital information on life in the estates
for the workers and their families. </P><P>“We feel this is the right occasion
to honour him for his contribution and also thank The Star for publishing his
reports and articles. </P><P>“The reports have enlightened the readers of
The Star – who come from various racial back-grounds and all walks of life
– on the conditions in the estates,” he said, adding that such reports
had been vital in resolving some of the issues. </P><P>Selangor NUPW secretary
cum organising chairman V. Thamase-garan said it was the first time that they
had ever honoured a journalist in this way. </P><P>Over the years, he noted, the
journalist had written numerous articles on the estate workers. </P><P>“I
hope Elan Perumal will continue to write about the estate workers and their plight,”
he added. </P><P>Thamasegaran said more than 800 estate workers were present at
the anniversary dinner held at the NUPW Hall in Petaling Jaya. </P><P>He said
the union had given cash incentives to reward some 26 of the workers’ children
who had excelled in last year’s Ujian Peniliaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination.
</P><P>Tokens of appreciation had also been presented to 36 former union leaders
for their contri-butions towards improving the welfare of the members, he added.</P><P><I>Source:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/1/9/north/16510966&sec=north</I>
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