GEORGE TOWN – The state government here has been urged to insert legal clauses in its government-linked projects to ensure that workers hired by contractors are protected in terms of labour and healthcare rights, said a veteran unionist.
Penang Malaysian Trade Union Congress secretary K. Veeriah said the union was disappointed to read of allegations of workplace abuse by workers in state-linked projects, with some being terminated in “bad faith”.
He called on the Penang government to insist on drafting pre-conditions in contracts awarded to their contractors or developers that the workers’ rights are to be protected at all costs.
“It is only fair that the authorities are committed to upholding the rights of workers as they are the ones who are supposed to be doing it in the first place.
“We should not be satisfied with the lowest bids. The commitment to uphold rights is equally important.
“If our own authorities are prone to allowing the abuse of workers, then they are no better than private sector employers who are infamous for exploiting the labour workforce
“It is unsettling that government-linked projects are being reported for allegations of labour abuse when they should be setting an example of being transparent,” he told The Vibes when contacted.
“My contention is that all government-linked contractors must be compelled to uphold labour rights in all states. They should not allow abuses to emerge, and the best way is to insert clauses which can protect the workers.
“The respective governments must act to ensure this is followed through,” he added.
Veeriah was responding to an industrial court action by 12 workers who claimed that they were terminated in bad faith by their employer, Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd, a project delivery partner of the proposed cross-channel undersea tunnel.
The court proceedings, which have begun, see the workers seeking compensation commensurate with the consultancy services afforded for the undersea project.
Besides the 7.2km tunnel, which costs RM6.2 billion, CZC is also contracted to construct three highway packages namely the Air Itam-Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway link, the Gurney Drive link to the same expressway, and the elevated road route from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang.
According to a representative of the 12 workers seeking action against Zenith, they hope for an amicable solution, but if the company continues to disregard their claims, there is no choice but to fight for what is due to them.
He claimed that CZC acted in bad faith by letting them go in the middle of a pandemic.
CZC was involved last year in a corporate restructuring after it became embroiled in various controversies associated with the project.
The restructuring involved Sg Petani-based construction giant ECK Construction Sdn Bhd, which took over a majority stake in the consortium. – The Vibes, February 8, 2022
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