THE International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) needs to be transparent and publish the list of companies and what percentage of workers are allowed to work from the office for each sector. As the majority of companies are likely to be forced to either stop operations or work from home in the coming weeks, it will be good to have transparency on who is allowed to work from office as usual.
Miti should also create a whistle-blowing platform for employees or members of the public to report abuses of such permission to work from office. A quick check on social media will reveal many grouses that employees fully capable of working from home are being forced by their bosses to work in the office.
The public should be able to view this list and judge to see if the services listed are truly essential. This self-policing method is the best way to hold the ministry accountable to ensure that no funny games are being played this time like the last. There have been many allegations that companies that were non-essential had applied and gotten into the essential services list the last round. This time we need to be sure that history does not repeat itself.
Miti needs to immediately publish these following details :
- Names of companies
- Industries
- Number of employed granted right to work in office
- Percentage of staff allowed to work from office
Many businesses will be losing out as they have to close, operate with limited hours, or work from home, and it is only fair that the services allowed to operate are essential not because they are backed by highly influential people.
I strongly urge Miti to immediately release the list of companies and not just the sectors of the essential services. It is obvious that Miti is the weak link to all roadblocks and regulations, hence be transparent and accountable for the decisions you make. – The Vibes, May 30, 2021
Rajiv Rishyakaran is the assemblyman for Bukit Gasing, Selangor
