KUALA LUMPUR – UEM Edgenta has refuted claims of bias in salary increment to its cleaners, in response to recent peaceful pickets by staff.
In a second statement following their earlier response to protests held by hospital cleaners from Bahagia Ulu Kinta Hospital (HBUK), UEM Edgenta reiterated that their rewards structure is based upon a “pay-for-performance philosophy”.
According to the government-linked subcontractor, 86% of 2,018 housekeepers and cleaning operatives were awarded increments ranging from RM30 up to a maximum of RM100 based on their individual performance.
“The remaining 14% were excluded from this increment exercise as they failed to meet the minimum performance standards and/or have been subjected to consequent management actions due to disciplinary issues,” it said.
National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services executive secretary M. Sarasvathy had stated during the protest that the increment system is “biased and a sign of favouritism”.
Sarasvathy added that more than 90 HBUK employees were not given the increment, which would have made their new salaries amount to RM1,230 after an increment of RM30.
In response, the company stated that any demands to pay employees who are ineligible for increments would be against its principles of inculcating a “performance-driven culture” within the organisation.
Furthermore, it stated that by giving in, UEM Edgenta would be “unjust and discriminatory” towards the majority of its employees who have met their deliverables and thus were rewarded accordingly.
Other demands made by the picketers such as laundry and shift allowance, increased annual leave, and medical benefits of RM1,000 have not been addressed.
Edgenta UEMS is a subsidiary company to UEM Edgenta, which is owned by the government’s sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd. – The Vibes, September 18, 2021
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