If Malaysia cares, workers will be ensured regular employment until retirement

Malaysia is abandoning workers and their families - jeopardizing their financial security and economic stability...by

>> Not ensuring that workers in Malaysia have stable permanent regular employment until retirement. Now, Malaysian government is not stopping many employers who are avoiding regular employment until retirement, and using other forms of precarious employment...like short-term or fixed-term employment contracts. 

Short-term or fixed-term employment contracts

These are now usually for a year or less - whereby at the end of the contract period. the worker has no more job even though the employer still has the same work that requires workers. Employers just tend to go out and hire new workers.... Why? To avoid employer obligations and avoid having to provide workers with certain rights, whereby some really increase with tenure...and to avoid any presumptions arising that the worker is a regular employee until retirement

*  Regular employee has security and certain entitlements like annual leave, sick leave, etc will increase with years of service... pay rises, bonusses. 

*  Maternity and paternity benefits ...well who will employ a women 2 months pregnant... so using short-term employment agreements, women will be most prejudiced.

*  Retirement Age - that is something that workers on short-term employment agreements would almost never enjoy... Really, many employers prefer younger workers... so, the other group that is going to be discriminated are more senior workers..

Now, many Malaysians, after their schooling years, look for a job... and then they 'settle down' - start a family, buy a home and settle into the community. All these really require permanent regular employment until retirement. For the worker on a fixed term contract, there is just no such security - will he get another job? Will he get another job with the same or equivalent pay? Will he get a job in the same locality where his spouse may be working, his children schooling, where is part of a religious community, maybe a member of local branch of some political party, a member in the Parent Teacher Association, etc... Well, there is no uncertainty at all.... and this is not right.

I worked in an electronic factory... and at the end of my short-term contract, I am looking for a job. Are there any other electronic factories around? Would I be employed by any other businesses given my past experience...Worse, will it be for workers from smaller towns and rural areas....compared to places like Klang Valley..

Today, Malaysians are burdened by monthly payments - ASTRO, phone, electricity, water, sewage, loan payments for car (maybe even house), etc ... and a worker who is unemployed even for a short time as he searches for another job is in trouble - trouble that will also affect his/her family and dependents...

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT - well, unlike Thailand and many other countries, Malaysia has none - and so there will be no assistance as I, who have no employment, is looking for another Job.

STRESS - yes, workers under fixed-term contract are certainly stressed out....What do I do after my contract ends?

Now, the usage of short-term employment contracts also increases FEAR - workers, for the sake of even some possible future employment contract, tend to allow themselves to 'trampled on', rights violated...all without complain - Why? I need an employment Man...I cannot afford to fight for my rights... Maybe, if I am a quite and follow all 'desires' of my employer, they may extend my contract...they may offer me another contract...they maybe...

Now, Regular Employment Until Retirement is certainly important for the worker and does not prejudice the employer..

Probation - time for employers to assess suitability of workers until thee worker is confirmed as a regular employee..

If the business of the employer changes and workers need is reduced - Employers can lay-off or retrench employees...

If employees commit misconduct, they can be terminated ...(but of course, there must be 'due inquiry' and the worker given the opportunity to defend himself against alleged misconduct...

Of course, a regular employee is certainly committed to a 'partnership' with the employer, and will work to ensure the well being of the business of the employer...

In Malaysia before, the government emphasized regular employment until retirement - and a look at our laws will show you this as well...

In some countries, there are even laws that prevent the use of 'short-term employment contracts' when it comes to core business or main activities of the business...

Fixed-term or short-term employment contract may be justified maybe when it comes to migrant worker (3-5 years), those employed for some construction project, etc - but generally it is not.

Quotas could have been placed on the number of 'short-term contract employees' - say 5% of the total workforce - but no such thing in Malaysia.

If Malaysia cares for its workers and their families, it really would restore the right of workers to regular employment until retirement - and abolish (or severely restrict the usage of short-term employment contracts)...

Sadly, this government does not care about workers and their families, and today the trend is the increasing usage of 'short-term employment contracts', most of which is without the likelihood of extension. Worse still is the fact that even the government and statutory bodies are starting to use 'short-term employment contracts'...

This must stop...