Dr. Mohd. Nasir Hashim, chairman of Parti Sosialis Malaysia has said that the proposed amendments to the labour law is something that he and PSM opposes as it will take away even more of the workers right that have already been badly eroded when the Industrial Relations Act was last reviewed.
He said that it has become more apparent that in searching for more FDI, the government is willing to sacrifice the workers on the alter of profitability, instead of treating them as the backbone of the economy. "If the amendments become law, it will bring the bad old days when workers are viewed as commodities and treated like robots." He added.
Nasir said that objectives like the Retrenchment Fund, Mimimum Wage Act, automatic registration of trade unions needed have not been implemented by the government and it looks like they will be sidelined again. Allhave to be implemented quickly because Malaysia now has the unenviable record of being the country with the worst income gap in Asia.
He said that PSM and Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT) demand that
- The Mimimum Wage Act be introduced quickly.
- Reduce subsidies to business (eg, IPPs) but maintain subsidies for the poor
- Stop the implementation of GST and maintain or increase corporate tax
- Stop implementation and tabling of anti-labour laws that strip the rights of workers
He also called on the government to improve key public sectors such as:
- Public hospitals and healthcare systems
- Free and affordable public education system
- Affordable and decent homes
- Efficient and cheap public transport
Nasir also added that PSM, JERIT and MTUC is holding a nationwide campaign and roadshows to educate workers on the issues involved.
