KUALA LUMPUR – Appointed Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) representatives should be board members for all government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs).
The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob described the move as an endeavour to enhance transparency, in addition to allowing employees’ opinions to be considered when decisions are made by board members.
Bernama reports that during the opening of the MTUC’s 42nd triennial delegates’ conference recently, the prime minister said the government hopes that these employee representatives would be able to play a role in administrative matters in the future.
“Employees should also preserve stability, unity, and industrial relations with the government and employers to ensure the success of the national development process,” he added.
Additionally, he further hailed MTUC, which represents 16.5 million employees in Malaysia, as a good government partner that plays a crucial role in reviving the country’s economy, currently entering the endemic phase.
The MTUC demonstrated a significant contribution led by the employees while at the same time getting government recognition, he said.
As a result, officials from MTUC have the privilege of serving as (board) members of various statutory and special organisations such as the National Labour Advisory Council, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
Also at the event, Ismail Sabri announced a RM4 million annual grant allocation for the MTUC to implement programmes that would increase awareness and provide training where necessary.
He noted that the MTUC needs to develop a more holistic, effective, and extensive education programme for its union members and other Keluarga Malaysia employees.
Reskilling and upskilling are both crucial to ensuring the country’s workforce remains competitive, he explained while adding that he is confident the MTUC will continue to play a vital role in developing dynamic employees through implementing these strategic education plans.
Furthermore, the prime minister stated that the MTUC, as the parent organisation which fought for employee’s rights and fate, must be cognizant of the requirements of union members, particularly those that are part of the B40 income and the hardcore poor group.
He said that the government had insisted on implementing a minimum wage of RM1,500 on May 1 this year as they are aware of the needs of the employees in their daily lives.
He explained that implementing minimum wage is not easy as employers are opposed to it given the development of COVID-19 by giving a variety of reasons.
“Some have requested for a gradual rise, but the government remains adamant because we believe that the current economic climate does not accommodate employees to live on less than RM1,500 per month,” he added.
Also at the event were Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M Saravanan and MTUC deputy president Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani.
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