Workers should fight exploitation, injustice, rights violation, ---they should fight for the improvement of working conditions, safety at the workplace, etc...
Unions should be highlighting wrongs so that violators/oppressors are pressured to act to end wrongs... People at large, many of whom are caring, will act to ensure justice, Government will be forced to act and no longer quietly ignore it and do nothing...Media plays an important role in helping workers and ordinary people highlight their issues...
UNIONS call workers to come together to struggle for rights and injustice - but alas, many union members sometimes feel that they have been cheated - Why? Union leadership and unions just seem not to do anything - all they seem to be interested in collecting union dues... and protecting their position in leadership... Well, looking at many Malaysian Unions, these allegations may have some basis... but then, we also see other Unions that give us hope...
One such union is the National Union of Banking Employees(NUBE), and we have all heard and seen this Union struggling not just for their own members, but also for other worker and trade union rights. One example is, a joint statement which over 20 Malaysian Unions stood up for justice for MAS employees - MAS Act unjust to workers and trade unions(Malaysiakini)
NUBE has a Blog/Website, which is regularly updated - this becomes not just a means of keeping its own members updated, but more importantly keeps the public and the government aware about wrongdoings, injustices and also improvements that should be...
It is important to highlight even the smallest of cases - keep informed people of the actions taken, and also of the 'victories' and even the 'failures'. This will not only educate workers about the their rights, the options for struggle but also more importantly that UNIONs can be relied on to help even the smallest worker who has some 'small issue'...
MEDIA fails the workers - because worker issues seem to have become 'low priority' despite the fact that Malaysia has about 13 million workers. When one reports about claims being lodged by workers at the Labour Department(HR Department) of the Ministry > It naturally educates so many other workers in Malaysia, about these rights and the fact that they can also lodge such claims...
When MEDIA (or even UNIONs reports) about successes of worker claims - that, of course, increases hopes of success generally amongst workers... Remember, that generally workers are FEARFUL of claiming rights or lodging complaints of exploitation - the fear is persecution by employers - maybe even loss of jobs...
But then, it is not just MEDIA that have failed workers, but also their trade unions. Trade Unions really should have blogs/websites/FB Pages - a means to be able to highlight not just issues, but also struggles and successes...Trade Unions must be in regular communication with members but is this even happening --Trade Unions should have regular meeting with the general membership but alas this does not happens (only Executive Committees and Worksite Committees meet) - End result a disconnect between leaders and members...
Why is this happening? Well some elected trade union leadership really was only interested in getting to be 'leader' - not so much so much struggling for the betterment of the membership of the Union. Once in 3 years general elections is not helping matters.
Below are some of the matters affecting union members highlighted by NUBE?
Is the Finance Minister at the mercy of Banks?
Kuala Lumpur • 21 August 2015
There have been an increase number of complaints by NUBE members
recently. The complaints are regarding the manner in which some banks
are conducting their business especially in respect to employee
relations.
These banks have begun to exploit workers by breaching agreements and
undermining the dignity and intelligence of Malaysians. They are very
bold in displaying utter arrogance. They are not ashamed by their
insincerity or the discredit caused to the establishment or the
injustice to workers.
These are some of the common misconduct committed against workers by some banks:
1. Disregard to the safety of workers
2. Anti-Union activities
3. Rampant violation of the Collective Agreement
4. In breach of memorandum of agreements
5. Outsourcing banking functions rampantly
6. Intensifying strategies to dismiss workers
7. Promoting/Forcing unemployment under the disguise of
‘VSS’.
8. Reducing existing benefits
9. Injuring whistleblowers
10. Exploiting workers
The above misconducts by banks are tarnishing the image and
reputation of the banking industry in our country and the industrial
harmony.
All NUBE members are advised to report to the Union all activities of
the banks that are detrimental to the interest of the workers and the
country.
We have written to the Minister of Finance and Chairman of the
Association of Banks in Malaysia for an urgent meeting to stop such
irresponsible banks.
We also hope these banks are not holding the Minister of Finance; YAB
Dato Seri Najib at ransom in view of the current
politically/economically unprecedented development in Malaysia.
In light of the economic uncertainties in the country, all NUBE
members must strengthen our solidarity; keep in constant touch with NUBE
to protect our jobs and continue to participate in all NUBE activities
to ensure that our struggle for a safe and secured employment is
guaranteed.
One for all and all for one,
Quality Union • Quality Life
J SOLOMON
SETIAUSAHA AGUNG
This post is also available in: Malay
Haywire Wiring System
An ugly scenario in some banks where employees who work behind the
counter or back room, daily risk their life; beneath their work tables
untidy, messy exposed wires runs all over the floor with too many
extension cords added to plug points. Employees are working with high
risks and in an unsafe workplace.
Looks like there are management who are willing to court with danger
to risks life of its employees’ safety and health at the expense of
profiting whereby neglecting its moral obligation to provide a safe
working environment. We have learned in some instance members has
accidently stepped on live exposed wire were slightly electrocuted which
was reported. Employees shall not want for a major accident
(electrocution) which would be too late as life of employee may be loss
in the tragedy.
It all boils down to one matter, BAD HOUSEKEEPING AND UNSAFE WORKPLACE.
Employees can end up tripping over the wires and injure themselves
either stepping on live exposed wires or sparks from exposed wire which
in turn cause fire. Immediate solution is to engage proper electrician
to create additional plug points to reduce use of too many extension
cords to avoid overload of power supply.
If that is not possible than
all exposed wires should be concealed and properly plan wiring to
prevent accidents.
Employers must be focused as far as practicable to eliminate
workplace accidents and hazards at all cost and direct its safety and
health officer (SHO) who under Section 29 of OSH ACT 1994 and regulation
18 of SHO Regulations 1997 shall be responsible exclusively to ensure
the due observance and safe environment of place of work. In addition
the safety and health committee shall also be responsible for the safety
at the workplace as required under section 30 of the OSH Act 1994.
In conclusion members are urged to lodge a report with respective
NUBE Branch Committees as this unsafe place of work is in violation of
Section 15 (1) of Osh Act 1994.
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