MTUC wants employers to heed King's decree
19 May 2020 Print page
KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah showed his concern for the livelihood and welfare of his subjects when he decreed that employers should refrain from terminating employees amid the economic crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general J. Solomon said Sultan Abdullah’s royal address at the opening of the first meeting of the third term of the 14th Parliament session yesterday, should best be followed by employers.
“His Majesty’s royal address once again displayed the palace’s utmost care and concern on the plight of workers, especially the Bottom 40 (B40) and Middle 40 (M40) groups.
“We urge all employers to acknowledge and heed the call by our king, and do the necessary to retain their workers even though many industries and businesses are affected by Covid-19.
“His Majesty’s message that all quarters should be willing to make sacrifices to ease the burden of the rakyat and save the country’s economy will hopefully strike a chord with employers in ensuring the livelihood of millions of workers,” said Solomon in a statement today.
Solomon said MTUC hoped employers and businessmen would not shirk the responsibility towards their workers and the nation especially those who had received financial aid from the government through the various stimulus packages.
Solomon urged the government to emulate its Hong Kong counterpart which imposed cash penalties on employers who sacked workers despite being given wage subsidies.
He said both countries were alike where a substantial amount of money was being spent to provide wage subsidies of 50 per cent to companies to deal with the economic impact of the pandemic.
In Hong Kong, Solomon said in order to get the first tranche of wage subsidies in three to four weeks, employers must pledge that the number of employees on payroll between June and August was not smaller than that in March, including those on unpaid leave.
“MTUC reiterates its call on the government to introduce the Emergency Employment Regulations (EER) which bars employers from retrenching their staff for a specific period following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The government must give priority to the workers’ welfare as their commitment will be crucial in helping to revive our battered economy.
“Workers must not become victims of unscrupulous businessmen who opt for pay cuts and retrenchments as a quick fix to reduce costs so they can retain their profit margins.”
Source : https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/593764/mtuc-wants-employers-heed-kings-decree