Many bosses not abiding by Employment Act changes, says MTUC

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) says it has received a number of complaints from employers not complying with the amendments to the Labor Law since it was implemented a week ago.

MTUC general secretary Kamarul Baharin Mansor said that he has received complaints from workers and unions, and one of the issues they raised was the lack of recognition of the 45-hour work week. “Employers did not make the necessary preparations as they expected the government to further postpone the implementation of the amendment,” he said in a statement today.

Kamarul said that some employers have changed the working conditions of their workers without their contract, including not paying them during their holidays. “These workers have changed the work schedule so that workers work a total of 45 hours. This has angered the workers because the time they spend at work has not changed. “The purpose of the 45-hour work week (and not the previous 48-hour work) is to create a work-life balance for workers. Workers will be able to spend less time with their families. “Unfortunately, employers are using other means to force employees to spend 48 hours a week with the company,” he said.

Kamarul urged the Ministry of Human Resources to audit all companies to ensure that they are complying with the law amendment, for the benefit of the workers. He called on employers who failed to make the changes to face tougher measures and even legal action.

The reform of the law is to protect the welfare of the workers and conform to the national standards and the International Labor Organization (ILO) agreement. It was supposed to be done on September 1, but was later delayed until January 1.

Last month, a group of five traders had urged Putrajaya to delay the renewal of the settlement, expressing concern over the RM4,000 wage for workers’ right to overtime pay, a 45-hour work week, 98 birthday leave and flexible work schedule.