Retrenchment issue gets Baleh dam project workers worrying about their livelihoods
KUCHING: The recent retrenchment of local workers at the Baleh dam project site has stirred up concern about the fate of approximately 190 employees and their families.
Khusyairy Pangkas, head of the Human Resources Development Bureau of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak, said all the affected employees received termination notices from Gezhouba Engineering (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (CGGC) dated Feb 29 this year.
“While recognising the company management’s prerogative of terminating the services of its employees, PKR Sarawak is out to underscore the importance of compliance with the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (SLO) to ensure fair treatment of affected employees,” he said in a press statement issued yesterday.
According to information provided by affected employees, the main contractor, CGGC, had its contract terminated by Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), leading to anticipated changes in its business operations.
In this respect, Khusyairy talked about the legal provisions for affected employees.
“In the event of CGGC’s cessation or closure of its business operation, and the takeover employer does not offer to continue to employ the affected employee, the contract of service of the employee shall be deemed to have been terminated and shall be entitled to the payment of termination benefits under Labour (Termination and LayOff Benefits) (Sarawak) Rules 2008, and in addition also entitled to any payment under Section 13 of the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Sarawak Cap.76).
“Retrenched employees are encouraged to seek advice at the nearest Labour Department,” he advised.
Khusyairy added that employees facing job losses due to the retrenchment exercise should consult the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to claim benefits under the Employment Insurance System (EIS), which makes available temporary financial assistance for up to six months for each retrenched employee.
In this regard, he said that PKR Sarawak would continue to monitor employment issues in Sarawak closely, and would also continue advocating for workers’ rights and welfare.