Govt goodies for workers not empty promises — CUEPACS
KUALA LUMPUR: The announcement of five goodies as recognition and appreciation of public and private sector employees to the country by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak are not political promises but is in fact the government’s concern for the welfare of workers.
The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) president Datuk Azih Muda said the government’s aspiration to provide three million jobs could be a reality if the people give the mandate to Barisan Nasional (BN) to continue ruling for the next five years.
“The Prime Minister’s pledge is not a political or empty promise. This is a pledge of a caring government. We could see the Prime Minister’s desire to provide employment opportunities. This is also the dream of the youths in our country.
“Regardless of their level of education, they do not want to be marginalised and want employment provided for them. This is what the government and Prime Minister are trying to do,” he told reporters after the 2018 Workers Day celebration at Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.
The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Skilled Workers, Driver of Nation’s Excellence’ was attended by more than 10,000 employers, unions and workers.
Azih also described the initiative announced by Najib as being fair to private sector employees following the announcement of paternity leave of at least three days to husbands.
“This is a start as some members of the employers’ association only look at profits as the bottom line. So if the government is always negotiating and reviewing the agreement together, the gap between the two sides would not be too wide.
“We could see the Prime Minister had announced several new packages for private workers which clearly showed the government’s concern and was finding ways to close the welfare gap between the private and public sectors,” he said.
He said workers needed to seriously increase their level of productivity to raise the name of Malaysia in rankings at local and international levels.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Datuk Abdul Halim Mansor said Najib is one of the prime ministers who not only listened to the minimum wage issue but created the Minimum Wages Order 2016.
“The act provides for a review on minimum wage every two years. It shows he is a responsible prime minister who is always feeling the pulse of the people to improve human capital capability.
“The people may see the announcement of the three-day paternity leave as a small matter but it is a recognition enjoyed by all workers. MTUC has long been championing workers rights, only PM Najib fulfilled 90 percent of our wishes,” he said.