Not just animal residents, but Zoo Negara staff, too, in tight spot

KUALA LUMPUR – While Zoo Negara Malaysia has been appealing for donations to meet its animal residents’ needs, its union workers are caught in a dispute with management.

“The news is reporting heavily about the bad conditions faced by the animals, but there are troubles faced by the zoo staff as well,” Malaysian Zoological Society Union (MZSU) president K. Maran told The Vibes.

He was referring to an industrial court judgment dated October 10, 2019 after the union sued the Malaysian Zoological Society, which manages the attraction.

According to court documents obtained by The Vibes, the dispute relates to allowances, termination policies, union recognition, salary structures, bonuses and leave, among others.

In its judgment, the court agreed that those with a salary of between RM1,495 and RM3,450 will receive an annual increment of RM50 or 5%, whichever is higher, while those earning between RM1,150 and RM2,875 will get an increment of RM45 or 5%, whichever is higher.

On bonuses, it ruled that workers will be paid two months’ bonus depending on their performance, as stated in a previous collective agreement. With regard to allowances such as for laundry, the court decided that employees will receive RM70.

“Those running the zoo wanted to increase our salary by only 2%. And, while the court decided in the union’s favour on things like salary increase, allowances and bonuses, we’ve only received RM70 for laundry,” said Maran.

“The RM70 allowance was paid based on a directive from the zoo. The other things decided by the court were not paid to us.”

There has also been a slew of industrial court cases brought by MZSU against Zoo Negara over union and employee matters, but these were later withdrawn.

Asked why the many disputes between MZSU and the zoo were brought to court, Maran said: “It’s difficult to have discussions with them.”

Maran sued the Malaysian Zoological Society via MZSU in 2018, saying it undertook union-busting actions and acted unfairly against him as union president.

According to the judgment, he worked as a keeper of Zoo Negara’s birdcage in 1999 and was later assigned to the bear exhibit until 2010, when he developed a skin condition that required him to work in an air-conditioned environment. He was subsequently transferred to the aquarium section.

In 2013, he was moved to the customer service department, and worked the ticket and information counters.

Maran said certain places where he was stationed had no air conditioning or a spot for him to sit.

The industrial court found that the Malaysian Zoological Society was involved in unfair employee practices and victimised Maran, as well as involved in union-busting practices.

Maran was terminated from his position on August 13 after he failed to show up for work during the movement control order (MCO) that came into force on March 18.

Last week, Zoo Negara’s zoology, veterinary and Giant Panda Conservation Centre director Mat Naim Ramli was reported by Bernama as saying the facility’s emergency funds are enough to last only three months.

He said the zoo’s closure since the conditional MCO was reimposed has made it difficult to meet operating costs, which come up to about RM1 million per month.

After being contacted by The Vibes, Zoo Negara deputy president Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana said the portal’s queries have been forwarded to the zoo’s human resources committee. – The Vibes, November 25, 2020