Celebration in conjunction with Labour Day 2016

Every year without failure we organised activities to give recognition to the workers both local and at the international level in conjunction with Labour Day Celebration, these labour day celebrations were conducted to assemble the vast majority of workers inclusive of migrant labour. Workers, who wake up in the wee-hours of the morning, at times without breakfast rushing to the factory and work eight hours everyday or sometimes putting in extra-hours 365 days in a year just to bring food on the family table, so that no one is staved to death. Yet, such work and service rendered to the respective companies are nor appreciated nor given recognition, alternatively, rather rewarded with a show-cause letter and subjected them to disciplinary and punitive measures, apparently leading to termination without any compensation.The management in return expects respects and obedience 

from workers to be thankful towards them for offering employment - workers as they are, never questioned their employer/s as they feel that they are indebted to their employers and choose not to question any in adequacy or discremination  in favour of employment.

Workers live is supposedly tied up like a merry-go-round, day in day out we work around the clock for a merge wages which could not measure up with the daily basic needs, like food, shelter and medicine, and leisure is a remote dream, even to have a family vacation seems impossible. Even if AirAsia were to advertise that 'Everyone Can Fly Now!

Employers, having anticipated such development within the workers in the long run have div iced a plan not to increase wages as this exercise may impede their profits and result in lower dividend for its share holders. The introduction of the credit-card system is one approach systematically designed to provide financial support in time of financial constrains  referred to as 'Plastic Money', the saying goes like ... 'spend as you like and pay as you wish!. The corporate conglomerates have indulged in a concept where it allows you to spend on consumer goods using plastic money so that their products are purchasable by consumers, the workers as consumers without realizing this trend  spend using credit cards, without realizing that one must only spend if there is a need; thus the daily household expenses has increased three fold as consumers goods were bought on borrowed money, goods bought under credit draws interest and the worker as to fork-out hard earned money to the creditors - this system has put the workers in trouble far too long leading to workers working extra hours to service the loans, any default on their part may lead to bankruptcy to avoid such consequence they put in more labour to service this loan.

The employer forever wants to keep workers in limbo, wages are not increased to commensurate with the ever raising cost of living, to earned extra, workers have to perform overtime work these may result in less quality time with loved ones and family members. Financial constrains encourages to live on credit terms, a false system of spending money without earning it. Money spent in this manner may draw interest and increases the tendencies and desire in purchasing goods which is not needed these leads to excessive application of plastic money which the bankers introduce will eventually ruin workers financial security.

It is a sad occasion to register here that despite several initiative to organize labour day this year workers have not come forward to support labour day - a show of lukewarm towards labour struggle indicates that workers have forgotten the sacrifices of our labour leaders who died fighting for our rights, workers of the present day are more occupied with internal dispute rather that championing the workers rights and educating its membership, the lack of vision to lead the union to a higher level is not put forth.....if the necessary initiative are not put in place to steer it to a better foundation than it will die a self-induced death to avoid that union has to bugle-up and march forward.

Stop spending on credit terms, you cannot depend on credit cards employers need to market their products so if the don't increase wages workers would be left with less purchasing power than they have no alternative but to revise wages, "Credit Card" is a double headed digger - you end-up paying more - or buying products which you don't need just to impress people, it is your hard earned money spend wisely - save for your rainy days as retirement means free from depths and financial security. 

In conjunction with Labour Day I wish all my fellow workers and union leaders 'Wishing Solidarity Forever Working Class" " Long Live the Workers"

Arjunan

    

Pictorial Animation - Labour Unrest

Attendance Incentive

Numerous industries, especially the manufacturing sector are facing a daily dilemma where employees suddenly don't show-up for work, this incident normally happens after receiving their weekly, or monthly salary, usually on Monday's or Fridays and Saturdays or during public holidays "before or after public holidays". These episodes of frequent absenteeism has resulted in low productivity and increased in cost for the company, such behavior has created a kind of phobia and tremendous pressure on the management as they are unable to cope with the increase number of absenteeism, thus leading to the introduction of incentive schemes laced with conditions which results in the reduction of the incentives - a scheme tailored to inflict psychological maneouvering to defeat employees taking medical leaves or even industrial accident leaves, this schemes amplifies the hidden motive of suppressing and victimizing labour on the maximum scale.

Absenteeism is not an isolated incident and it is very rampant in the industrial sector, where it involves human activity requiring their presence in the plant they suddenly don't turn up and results in disruption in productivity on the respective day, this non-participation on the part of the workers may raised many questions why there is a decline in attendance; is the working environment conducive? What safety? What about the machinery? This prevailing unfavouring conditions may not encourage or induce participation or rather these conditions would eventually continue to discourage the presence of workers and industries which are labour intensive bound to expect such issues of poor attendance by workers.

Companies have devised a plan by introducing incentives schemes like attendance incentive, but with conditions attached to it, for an example, an incentive of RM30.00 a month if full attendance is achieved, if found absent or medical leave even Socso leave, the benefit is withdrawn. This is like hanging a carrot at length from the donkey mouth, termed "carrot and the donkey' as the employer rides on the donkey the carrot swing towards the donkey but it is beastly impossible to catch the carrot because the donkey is moving and in a motion, the donkey never gets its carrot! Similarly, to induce workers with peanuts incentives would never enhance attendance in the work place. 

The employer must ensure a decent wage system, safety and conducive working environment and most importantly tenure and security of employment would enhance participation, the company must treat its employees with respect and provide equal participation this exercise creates a sense of belongings - loyalties towards the company has a price-tag, if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

Managements must always ask itself why there is absenteeism prevailing in the company? What are the causes for the decline in workers participation, need to look at the high turn-over in the company? What serious measures need to be explored to encourage their involvement, would implementation of punitive exercise to increase workers attendance?  Workers are human being there not a trading commodity for commercial advancement and profiteering for the corporate sector. They deserve respect and treated with dignity.   

Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Mafipro Sdn. Bhd. - Labour Day Celebration @ Dewan Pusat Activity Perpaduan, Kamunting, Taiping.

The Union on a moderate level organised a workers day gathering in conjunction with Labour Day 2015. The theme for this year is "Better Together", some hundred and eight union members participated in the program. Light delicacies and beverages were served. Some Union leaders and legal adviser also addressed the gathering. For he purpose of memory we submit several images captured during the gathering for your kind perusal.

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