LABOUR BULLETIN : 01/07/14

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

MALAYSIA:::Pekerja bank tak dibenarkan solat

SHAH ALAM - Sebuah bank komersial tempatan didakwa menafikan hak pekerjanya yang beragama Islam untuk mengerjakan solat di surau bank berkenaan sejak November tahun lalu.

Timbalan Presiden Kesatuan Pekerja Bank Kebangsaan (NUBE), Abdul Jamil Jalaludeen berkata, pihaknya kesal ekoran tiada tindakan diambil oleh pihak berkuasa dalam menangani isu tersebut.

Bagaimana membelanjakan wang gaji pertama yang diperolehi.

KUALA LUMPUR - KPMG Malaysia menggesa sektor awam dan swasta supaya menaikkan gaji pekerja mereka secara berperingkat-peringkat berikutan pelaksanaan cukai barang dan perkhidmatan (GST) April depan.

Rakan Pengurusan baharu dilantik Johan Idris mencadangkan kenaikan enam peratus setahun bagi membantu pekerja menangani kos sara hidup yang tinggi di Malaysia.

"Enam peratus adalah permulaan yang baik terutama selepas pelaksanaan GST, tarif baharu elektrik, pemotongan subsidi petrol dan kadar baharu tol," katanya kepada pemberita selepas pelancaran edisi kedua penerbitan 'Kajian Ke Atas Pengarah Bukan Eksekutif 2013 - Profil dan Gaji'.

TANAUAN, LEYTE Supertyphoon “Yolanda” survivors in this town wait for the distribution of food items from a helicopter in this photo taken two days after Yolanda struck. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOHN CHUA

MANILA, Philippines—The International Labor Organization has launched a program aimed at providing emergency employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities in areas devastated by Supertyphoon Yolanda.

“Since ‘Yolanda’ (international name Haiyan) struck on 8 November, the ILO supported the Department of Labor and Employment in creating over 20,000 jobs under the emergency employment program,” said Lawrence Jeff Johnson, Director of the ILO Country Office in the Philippines.

MALAYSIA:::Railway union to stage protest next month

ROAD TO RECOVERY: RUM seeks government intervention, wants Elias replaced

THE Railwaymen Union of Malaya (RUM) will stage a protest next month to put pressure on the president of financially-ailing Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB), Datuk Elias Kadir, to resign.

RUM president Abdul Razak Md Hassan said the union's 3,500 members are hoping that the government will replace Elias and put the company on the road to recovery.

In an interview with Business Times, Abdul Razak said losses under Elias' stewardship has worsened to over RM200 million, compared to previous years'.

He said the perception among investors and the public that KTMB is only a service provider and non-profit orientated is also making matters worse for the company.

"This is really not good as KTMB is a national railway company. In the last 18 months, more than 15 key people have resigned as the company has no direction. All efforts by Elias to turn around KTMB have only made it worse.

Restoran makanan segera dilarang ambil pekerja asing

CLICK >>>Restoran makanan segera dilarang ambil warga asing - Sinar Harian

MALAYSIA:::At last, secret ballot being conducted at RENESAS - UNION or NO UNION?

Finally, the workers of RENESAS Semiconductor KL Sdn Bhd (formerly known as NEC Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd] have got their 'secret ballot' which will Electronic Industry Employees Union Western Region, Peninsular Malaysia (EIEUWR)/ Kesatuan Sekerja Industri Elektronik Wilayah Barat Semenjung Malaysia(KSIEWBSM) determine whether their Union will be accorded recognition - something that is needed before the Union can enter into negotiations and sign a Collective Bargaining Agreement with their employer, RENESAS.

Security Services Association of Malaysia president Datuk Shaheen Mirza Habib. SUNPIX

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 6, 2014): Being a security guard will no longer be viewed as a low-paying job, especially with most of the security companies planning to increase their wages this year, thanks to the RM900 minimum wage policy gazetted last year.

The windfall for about 220,000 security guards working in some 772 licensed firms will hopefully also see less turnover. The guards can now expect to be paid at least RM2,200 monthly with overtime, EPF and Socso contributions.

However, what hovers over the minds of the public, especially residential associations, corporate organisations and all those who hire guards is – will this put an end to the some 40,000 illegal and incompetent security guards who offer their services at a cheaper rate?

Security Services Association of Malaysia president Datuk Shaheen Mirza Habib said the price for security guard services has gone up as much as 35% which works out to be from RM7 to RM8 per hour.

"This adds up to about RM2,200 a month," he said, adding that employers will now have to fork out more money if they want to hire legal, competent and trustworthy guards.

Muneer Qureshi, federal secretary for overseas Pakistanis and manpower, said on Monday that Disneyland may stop export orders, if industries do not implement "Better Work Program" for labour. Addressing the member of Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA), he said that Pakistan is making all efforts with the support of other countries for some relief regarding implementation of "Better Work Program". "If once Disneyland bans Pakistan's exports then other western countries may follow to take strict stance on labour laws", he added.

Korea: Union leader freed

Jan, 2014 --Kim Jeonghun, the president of EI affiliate Korean Teachers' Union (KTU), has been released. Having been arrested illegally on 22 December 2013, Kim received widespread international support and the warrant for his detention was overruled by a judge, leading to his release on 25 December.

Jeonghun was arrested when the police raided the head office of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). The KTU president and other KCTU members blocked the police raid on the first floor of the building, and a violent clash ensued.

Brussels, 6 January 2014 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC , Global Union Federation IndustriALL and UNI Global Union have expressed horror at the violent repression of garment worker strikes by security forces and government-backed vigilantes. Workers had been demonstrating peacefully demanding an increase in the minimum wage. At least four workers were killed and 39 injured during a crackdown by security forces on Friday. Trade unionists and labour rights supporters have been targeted for attack as workers demanded a minimum wage above the government offer of US$100 per month, which is woefully insufficient to meet the rising cost of living. Over 23 have been arrested, their whereabouts unknown, and summonses have been issued for several union leaders.