SMSU on aggressive membership drive – Veep

MIRI: Sarawak Medical Services Union (SMSU) is now on an aggressive drive to recruit more members.

Its vice president Omar Bahrein Unin disclosed that they had a recruitment drive in Sibu in November last year.

“Although the intake of new members is a bit slow our effort in enhancing new membership recruitment drive has shown some positive results.

“We are going to have a two- day meeting for SMSU’s exco in Kuching starting this coming Saturday. During the meeting, we will set a counter for registration of new members,” he stated to The Borneo Post yesterday.

Omar disclosed that SMSU presently had 10 branches throughout the state.

“SMSU is the earliest union registered with Trade Union Affairs Department in 1962.

“Its membership is open to all civil servants who work with the Health Department of Sarawak. We are a member of the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) and Malaysia Trade Unions Congress ( MTUC).” On number of members, he said to date some 8,000 civil servants serving with the Health Department of Sarawak have registered with SMSU as members.

“Those yet to do so are welcome to register with SMSU in order to enjoy member’s benefits such as group insurance with low premium for members and their families, education incentives for members who excel in their studies, allowance for hospital admission and retirement fund.”

The union, he added, subscribed to the concept of Tripartite in fi ghting for its members’ interest between employers and the government.

Thus, he hoped employers will give their total support to their staff involved in any activity organised by SMSU.

“Being one of Cuepacs’s members, SMSU is always and will continue to support Cuepacs leadership in addressing civil servants welfare and interest as well as to provide the best service for the people.”