A big thank you to the workforce of Malaysia for their big role in building the nation to what it is today - well, that 'Thank You' is all that this government has done for workers...and in 2009, it was clearly demonstrated that Malaysian workers are underpaid - receiving even below the poverty line income. Minimum wages finally became a right to be enjoyed by workers in Malaysia as of January 2013 ... but still many workers are not receiving the said minimum wages...
Let us look at MCA President's Labour Day Message (as reported in Star..) - yes, BN has certainly made it attractive for the investor(the foreign investor)...the businesses BUT at what cost? CHEAP LABOUR - that attracts businesses... and keeps Malaysian workers down.
WORKERS BUT NO EMPLOYER OBLIGATIONS - yes, that is 'attractive' - so we have the Contractor for Labour Sysytems
NO UNIONS - well, only about 800,000 workers in Malaysia belong to Unions out of a workforce of about 12 million - and this number is about the same for quite a number of years... [Well, Soi Lek this is a figure and fact that you should have highlighted... a clear indicator of how weak worker rights and protection is... OH YES - this will also make Malaysia attractive for businesses].
- Well, the workers in electronic factories only finally got the right to form Regional Unions in 2009 - still no right to form a National Unions...
NO STRIKES - well, it is near impossible for Malaysian workers to strike ... and that is the most effective weapon that workers have against their employers.... The more restrictions imposed on the right for peaceful assembly also denies workers the access to other forms of protest...
BONDED LABOUR - yes in Malaysia you can get them. Migrant workers who have no choice to change employers - you can have them too, and guess what the government allows you to recover all cost of bringing in and maintaining migrant workers through wage deductions....Bonded? - No choice but to work for that ONE employer ... (and now, you also may not need to pay these migrant workers minimum wages....)
FORCED LABOUR - would removing worker's right and/or ability to say "No" to overtime work, work on rest days/public holidays, to work more than 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week amount to 'forced labour'? Well, if the answer is 'YES', Malaysia can also give you this.. No annual leave unless you can find a replacement in your shift...well, no you cannot go see the doctor until you can get someone to replace you - well, this is what is happening in some workplaces to Malaysian workers
PROTECT BUSINESS NAME AND IMAGE - well, Malaysia can ensure that media do not report negatively against you in certain cases. Have you read news reports about worker protests/pickets - and did you see that reports do not now mention the name of the 'business' or employer....or sometimes just do not carry reports of worker protests... did you read about that 5,000 over worker protest in a textile factory in Negeri Sembilan or the protests in Muar which eventually would have involved 10,000 if the police had not arrested some 100 worker leaders? All this happened recently in 2013..
YES - Malaysia is certainly 'attractive' to businesses who are interested in making profits --- and not bothered about justice for workers. What else? Oh yes, Malaysia gives 'tax holidays' ...and the government is not so bothered about environment protection or even public health... Lynas, Bukit Koman, Bukit Merah...
So, the success that is highlighted is not successes of workers and/or its unions BUT how attractive Malaysia has become to businesses...
....> Malaysia is recognised as the 14th most competitive country in the world;... It is the second best country in Asean for dynamic growing businesses, according to the Grant Thornton Global Dynamism Index (GDI);...> Ranked 12 spot out of 185 countries in the World Bank Doing Business Report 2013 on the ease of doing business.....> World Bank revised growth outlook of Malaysia upwards to 5.1 per cent in 2013 and 5.4 per cent in 2014....
Worse, Choi Lek brags about the .....
"....on track with Malaysia's per capita income jumping to US$9,970 last year in 2012 from US$6,700 previously in 2009....The mean household income for Malaysia also took a 19.5% leap from RM4,025 per month in 2009 to RM5,000 in 2012..."
Well, the Malaysian worker and their families are not getting about RM30,000 per person per year... Worker, wife and 2 kids means about RM120,000 per year.... Well, we certainly are not receiving that kind of income - so who is? The rich ..... and that means BN has failed in ensuring equitable distribution of wealth....BN government even failed to ensure workers in Malaysia be all paid minimum wages in January 2013.
BN also gives workers a 'THANK YOU' - but no real improvement in the lives, livelihood, income, etc.... of workers
PETALING JAYA: The people should continue to support a government that has made much progress to advance the country's socio-economic growth, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He urged Malaysians to vote for a political party under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who has laid out various national initiatives that would benefit all Malaysians.
Dr Chua said some 13.3 million voters would go to the polls on Sunday to decide the country's future.
“The journey will take them either to a better Malaysia blessed with people-centric policies or an administration full of fallacies and empty promises.
“There are no winners in the event the country is stricken with political calamity, unrest and instability. In such a scenario, everyone loses. We should not change to an inexperienced captain midway.
“When that happens, all passengers will go down with the ship,” he said in his Workers Day message yesterday.
Dr Chua said the country had done extremely well under Najib's leadership.
He said Malaysia had been ranked the 14th most competitive country in the world.
It is the second best Asean country for dynamic businesses under the Grant Thornton Global Dynamism Index, while Malaysia is ranked 20th out of 158 countries in South-East Asia under the Global Peace Index 2012, he added.
Dr Chua said the country was also ranked 12th out of 185 countries in the World Bank Doing Business Report 2013 on the ease of doing business, while the bank has revised growth outlook of Malaysia upwards to 5.1% in 2013 and 5.4% in 2014.
“Such achievements are not created overnight. It is through diligence, hard work, proper and meticulous planning and putting in place the right policies.
“The Opposition is good at raising the expectations of the people, knowing they don't have to deliver, because they are not in a position to deliver,” he said.
Dr Chua also called on Malaysians not to allow their emotions and anger to cloud their decisions when they cast their votes.
“Malaysia is a peace-loving nation. Let us vote for peace and stability.
“A big thank you to the workforce of Malaysia for their big role in building the nation to what it is today,” he said.
Labour Day message by MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek
This Labour Day is very significant. In four days time, we will go to the polls to decide our choice for the future direction of our country.
Come May 5, some 13.3 million voters will go to the polls. What they put into the ballot boxes will seal their fate in the next five years.
From then on, it will be no turning back.
The journey will then take them either to a better Malaysia blessed with people centric policies or an administration full of rhetorics, fallacies and empty promises.
We cannot afford a political paralysis at this moment.
There are no winners in the event the country is stricken with political calamities, unrest and instability. In such a scenario, everyone loses.
We are at the crossroads of a challenging political period and have to seriously consider the consequences and implications of the decision we make.
The country under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has done remarkably well, with the nation having achieved commendable rankings in the global arena. It is a model nation of sorts.
> Malaysia is recognised as the 14th most competitive country in the world;
> It is the second best country in Asean for dynamic growing businesses, according to the Grant Thornton Global Dynamism Index (GDI);
> Under the Global Peace Index 2012, Malaysia is ranked 20th spot out of 158 nations in Southeast Asia.
> Ranked 12 spot out of 185 countries in the World Bank Doing Business Report 2013 on the ease of doing business.
> World Bank revised growth outlook of Malaysia upwards to 5.1 per cent in 2013 and 5.4 per cent in 2014.
Malaysia's foreign currency rating of A- by Standard & Poor's was among the highest in the region. This indicates that the international investing community continues to have faith in the country's growth prospects and also its fiscal policies and management.
Such achievements are not created overnight. It is through diligence, hard work, proper and meticulous planning and putting in place the right policies.
We need the continuity of the political processes of the country to achieve accelerated growth and high income nation status.
Already we are on track with Malaysia's per capita income jumping to US$9,970 last year in 2012 from US$6,700 previously in 2009.
The mean household income for Malaysia also took a 19.5% leap from RM4,025 per month in 2009 to RM5,000 in 2012.
On April 17 this year, the FBM Kuala Lumpur composite index closed at a historic high of 1,710.97.
This reflects confidence by investors on the leadership of the country and the policies that have been put in place.
Malaysians should reject politics which breed violence and hatred. It also gives rise to a divisive culture.
We should not change to an inexperienced Captain midway as he would be lost at sea and may sail towards choppy waters and sink the ship.
When this happens, all passengers will also go down with the ship.
In 2011, DAP's Tony Pua had said that if Pakatan defeated Barisan in the elections, half of the public sector workers would be reduced to cut down expenditure costs in paying civil servants salary each year.
The workforce is the most vital asset and there is no denial that they are the pillars of the nation's economic well being.
What the government is doing is planting the seeds of growth via the slew of initiatives that have been introduced. But it needs the people to help in the germination process by watering the seeds.
It is pertinent that when we cast our votes, we should not allow our emotions and anger to cloud our decisions.
The rakyat should look back on the past promises made by Pakatan Rakyat in the 2008 elections and see for themselves how many had been fulfilled.
The Opposition is good at raising the expectations of the various races, knowing that they don't have to deliver, because they are not in a position to deliver.
Although Barisan Nasional may not be perfect but it is the better choice. It has come up with a slew of initiatives which are already bearing fruits of success.
We should rationalise and reflect on the tremendous progress that Malaysia has achieved in the last 50 years.
There are of course political parties who promise the moon and the stars but when it comes to delivery, they come up with a thousand and one excuses.
Certainly the people do not want a party that is good at shouting slogans and not make good of its promises.
As we celebrate Labour Day, we must count our blessings for the peace and harmonious environment that has prevailed in our country.
When we read about the unrest in other parts of the world, we are thankful of the peace and harmony that we enjoy. Let us preserve that.
There is tremendous future much ahead for all Malaysians under the 1Malaysia banner where the people come first.
Malaysia is a peace loving nation. Let us vote for peace and stability.
A big thank you to the workforce of Malaysia for their big role in building the nation to what it is today. - Star, 1/5/2013, GE13: Support government for progress, workers told
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