Women’s Tribunal Malaysia: Speaking up for workers

0
42

Workers’ rights activist Sarasvathy Muthu spoke on the plight of workers, significantly authorities hospital cleaners and help workers, on the Women’s Tribunal that was held on-line final weekend.

Sarasvathy’s testimony was highly effective and uncovered what many didn’t realise: Although their companies are integral to the working of a hospital – clear hospitals, particularly through the pandemic are crucial – most hospital cleaners earn minimal wage salaries regardless that some have been working for a long time. And, they’ve not one of the perks that almost all workers take for granted: annual go away, increments, bonuses and even primary medical advantages.

Sarasvathy, who’s the chief secretary for the National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services, claims that the welfare of hospital cleaners has been uncared for because the the privatisation of hospital cleansing companies within the Nineties which meant that the cleaners in authorities hospitals had been not employed immediately by the federal government, however by non-public corporations as a substitute.

“After the privatisation, these workers are employed by subcontractors who are commissioned by concessionaires who had obtained government contracts. Four out of the five concessionaires for hospital cleaning services are government-linked companies who really should be setting an example of caring for the welfare of workers. But instead, they stand by as the workers are exploited,” she shared.

“When they were employed directly by the government hospitals, cleaners enjoyed pay increments and were entitled to annual leave, housing loans and so on.

“Now, they are employed under short-term work contracts of between six months and two years. When their contract ends, they are re-employed under a new contract as new workers. So, even though some have been doing the same job, working at the same hospital for 20 years, they are still earning minimum wage as they are deemed ‘new employees’.

“There is no chance of a pay increase, they have no annual leave and because they are contract workers, they can’t obtain bank loans,” she mentioned.

Some of the union members during a protest in Ipoh in 2019. With them is the union’s executive secretary Sarasvathy (in white blouse). FilepicSome of the union members throughout a protest in Ipoh in 2019. With them is the union’s govt secretary Sarasvathy (in white shirt). Filepic

The scenario grew to become a lot worse through the pandemic, she says, as these workers had been excluded from receiving Covid-19 allowance regardless that they needed to go to work to scrub the hospitals every single day.

“This is modern-day slavery and it has to end,” mentioned Sarasvathy in her testimony.

There are some 50,000 cleaners in authorities hospitals, 85% of whom are girls from the B40 neighborhood; many are single moms and sole breadwinners.

“Where are their rights as workers?” she questions.

“These women are vulnerable in many ways. Often, by the 10th of every month they would have run out of money for school fees, medical expenses and they’d have to borrow money from their employers, friends or family to pay their expenses. And when their pay comes in, they pay back their debts and by the 10th of the next month, the cycle of debt starts again. They can’t get away from it,” says Sarasvathy.

“I hope this tribunal can lobby for the government to stop this forced slavery. Its very disgusting that these women, who are working in government hospitals under the Health Ministry throughout the pandemic, are not being given their basic workers’ rights nor their Covid-19 allowances. I also hope that this contract system is abolished and the government absorbs these workers who are essential staff,” she says.

Tenaganita govt director Glorene Das additionally testified on behalf of migrant home workers that her non-governmental organisation works with. She offered the case of the late Adelina Lisao who died in 2018 simply days after she was rescued from the home the place she was employed as a home employee. Her employer, S. Ambika, 60, was charged with homicide however was acquitted by the High Court – an enchantment is pending, scheduled for this month.

Indonesian maid Lisao died two days after she was rescued from her employers' home in Bukit Mertajam. Domestic workers like Lisao are exploited and abused as they lack protections. FilepicIndonesian maid Lisao died two days after she was rescued from her employers’ residence in Bukit Mertajam. Domestic workers like Lisao are exploited and abused as they lack protections. Filepic

“Domestic workers all over the world continue to be treated badly because they are not protected. The Employment Act 1995 that supposedly protects the rights of domestic workers doesn’t even recognise them as workers but as servants. Which is why many employers feel they can subject their domestic workers to exploitation and abuse them with impunity like Adelina and many before her.

“The brave ones who try to get away are penalised under the Immigration Act because they automatically become undocumented. And from our experience in those cases, the authorities and even judiciary continues to punish the victims and not the perpetrators.

“It is only when domestic workers are recognised as workers will agents, employers and Malaysians treat them with respect and dignity. This form of persistent and intentional discrimination of women from the most marginalised groups speaks volumes of how we fail to respect women and treat them with dignity.

“If anything constructive can come out of Adelina’s case it is a plea for stronger protective legislation and better monitoring of domestic workers, both local and foreign,” says Glorene.



Source link