Petronas Worker Picket - MEDIA biased against workers? Government Direction, Media Policy or fear of being 'sued" by corporations?

Petronas Worker's picket - well, once again we see that Media either did not carry the story, or they carried a biased report (stating what Petronas said - but not telling the readers why the workers are picketing in detail - what are they demanding and why are picketing at Petronas ...).

Is it a government strategy to not report worker injustices or stories of workers standing up and fighting for better worker rights? 

Or is the Media pro-employer, and as such choose not to report in detail what exactly are the workers demanding? 

Or media is afraid...

Reporting of stories of people's struggles in defence of their rights OR for better rights is very important to INSPIRE other victims of injustice to also stand up and highlight their demands - moving away from a culture of silent acceptance of rights violations.

Media may also be FEARFUL of being sued by these Corporations - Remember how many alternative media were subjected to 'defamation suits' when they highlighted peoples' points and demands in their fight against corporations. MAYBE Malaysian government should pass a law that encourages freedom of press - and media be allowed to report/highlight the demands and points made by the people/workers. Media should not be burdened with the obligation to VERIFY the truth of what people or worker demands. After all, people...ordinary people will just raise the points they know - they certainly do not have the capacity to research or verify everything. Their duty is merely to highlight what they believe is right or may be happening - then the relevant authorities need investigate and verify. So companies, corporations, government and/or even politicians must be barred from taking RETALIATORY LITIGATION..

See related posts:- 

Nurul,Najib,... if you are for Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Opinion, HR Defenders, Press Freedom... - Withdraw Defamation Suits?

Settled? Lynas should restore Free Malaysia Today's press freedom...

Bukit Koman villager, HR Defender Hue Shieh Lee, wins in gold mine's defamation suit?

Malaysiakini wins defamation suit filed by gold mine company, Raub Australian Gold Mining (RAGM)

 

We suspect that many workers may be facing rights violations - but then, the old 'Malaysian way' was to simply 'happily' don't rock the boat and accept your fate...oh yes, some say 'if not happy, find another job'...or 'if not happy, move away to a safer environment"..After all, many a worker believes that they can never win..

Think about the corruption allegations being highlighted related to previous administration and government - HOW can we even verify this? We do not have access to the necessary documents and information, do we now? We can highlight what we heard or maybe what we suspect ...that is all. BUT if companies,corporations and politicians can simply SUE us for millions - it only encourages 'cover-up' of crimes and rights violations.

So, what exactly is the demand of these Petronas workers (or their unions) - Why do they think that Petronas is unjustly not giving in to their just demands? Will any MEDIA tell us - will any media monitor and provide us with follow-up news as to what happens thereafter... 

What happened to the 'wakil rakyat' - MP and State Assemblyperson - are they simply not bothered or maybe they simply are pro-employer? Workers came out to protest ...surely they feel strongly about this? Are the political parties concerned about worker rights and justice for workers?

As it is in Malaysia, the impression by the lack of reported pickets or strikes that all is well and good at the workplace..

Of course some workers are worried about promotions, extension of contract, etc ...so they are too FEARFUL to stand up for rights or against INJUSTICE. Well, if the victims do not want to FIGHT for justice ...how can others support their struggle?

If demands are UNCLEAR then how can we also support? TELL us what is UNJUST - what you want? Why you believe that it is more just..

Remember during the UMNO-BN era, many unions leaders were terminated because they spoke up...Will the PH government continue to allow this 'union busting' or 'anti-worker behaviour'? Enforcement - do the Ministry and its relevant enforce the laws?

MEDIA must be fair to workers - report their statements, their pickets and struggles - give details about their demands. At the same time, also report the response by the Employer - that is fair reporting. Now, in this issue, the space given to Petronas by some media is sadly unjust - that may be considered UNFAIR reporting?

BERNAMA(our National News Agency) carried a media statement by Petronas - what no statement from the Union of workers? No report explaining why really the workers were protesting ..

Petronas workers stage picket over salary dispute

Stephen Then

2 hrs ago© Provided by SMG Business Services Sdn Bhd.

MIRI: Petronas workers in Bintulu town in northern Sarawak have staged public protests to vent their frustrations following a deadlock with Petronas over salary negotiations.

The picket by Kesatuan Kakitangan Petronas Sarawak (Kapenas) was carried out along the streets fronting the Petronas office in Bintulu late on Monday (June 24) afternoon.

This morning, Petronas headquarters issued a press statement to explain the public protest by its workers.

The company said it was trying to resolve the matter with its employees.

"The picket was carried out in Bintulu by Kapenas, and we are working closely with the relevant authorities and stakeholders to resolve the dispute soon.

"Petronas has already held four sessions of negotiations with Kapenas over the 2019-2021 Collective Agreement.

"The most recent discussion was on April 16 this year. Kapenas declared that it considers the negotiations a deadlock.

"Petronas deeply regrets that Kapenas refused our offer, while four other workers union in the company have accepted," said the press statement.

Petronas has hundreds of workers in its regional operation offices as well as its administration offices in Miri, Bintulu and Kuching. - MSN, 25/6/2019

See also Dayak Daily, 25/6/2019 - here there was some mention about why the workers picketed...

Petronas says deeply regrets workers' union
deadlock declaration

Chong Jin Hun / theedgemarkets.com
June 25, 2019 10:42 am +08

KUALA LUMPUR (June 25): Petronas said today it deeply regrets to note that the Petronas Workers' Union in Sarawak decided to proceed with a deadlock declaration despite the competitive offer given to all five unions involving the Malaysian national oil company's employees there.

The Petronas Workers' Union in Sarawak is also known as Kesatuan Kakitangan Petronas (KAPENAS) Sarawak. In a statement today, Petronas said four of the five unions have accepted the offer, which came into effect on January 1, 2019.

"Petronas refers to the picket held by KAPENAS Sarawak in Bintulu on June 24, 2019. Petronas has had four sessions of collective agreement 2019-2021 negotiations with KAPENAS Sarawak, with the most recent one held on April 16, 2019, where KAPENAS Sarawak declared a deadlock.

"We are working closely with all relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that the matter is resolved soon in the interest of our employees," Petronas said. - Edge Markets, 25/6/2019

MEDIA STATEMENT ON PICKET BY KAPENAS SARAWAK Tuesday 25/06/2019

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- PETRONAS refers to the picket held by Kesatuan Kakitangan PETRONAS (KAPENAS) Sarawak in Bintulu on 24 June 2019.

PETRONAS has had four sessions of Collective Agreement (CA) 2019-2021 negotiations with KAPENAS Sarawak, with the most recent one held on 16 April 2019, where KAPENAS Sarawak declared a deadlock. 

We deeply regret to note that KAPENAS Sarawak has decided to proceed with the declaration despite the competitive offer given to all the five unions of which the other four have accepted and came into effect on 1 January 2019.

We are working closely with all relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that the matter is resolved soon in the interest of our employees.

Issued by 

Media Engagement 

Group Strategic Communications

PETRONAS

Source: PETRONAS

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Auliya Rashid
Tel: +6019 222 0179

Source: BERNAMA