Cuepacs: Delay laying off non-political staff members
KUALA LUMPUR: The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) has appealed that the Government delay laying off non-political staff members who were affected by the closing down of certain government agencies.
Its president Datuk Azih Muda said that non-political contract workers whose contracts have not ended should be given another three to six months while those with permanent posts be moved to other agencies.
He said that those affected – the execution group 1 (Grade 1 to 18) such as drivers, execution group 2 (Grade 19 to 40) such as administrative and support staff, and the administration and professional group – were not political posts.
“We have received complaints as those affected were burdened with loan debts and other financial responsibilities. This is especially difficult as Raya falls on June 15 while their contract ends June 16.
“We appeal to the Government to consider extending the contract of service for those not holding political posts for another three to six months so that they could plan for their financial needs,” he said in a press conference yesterday.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had on Tuesday said that the Government would study several government bodies which had been turned into political tools by the previous Barisan Nasional administration.
Among those government agencies are the National Civics Bureau (BTN), National Council of Professors and the Special Affairs Department.
Set up in 1974 to promote patriotism, BTN has come under fire over the years after numerous complaints about it promoting racial hatred.
The Pakatan Harapan Government has pledged in its election manifestos to dissolve the agency, which it said had become a political agent for Umno.
Azih said that it was not known how many from the 17,000 positions axed were non-political as they were in the midst of gathering information.
He asked the Government to consider a bit of flexibility for those affected.