Latest news with #KadPekerjaMadani
The Star
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Aiming to boost union memberships nationwide
'CLICK TO ENLARGE' PETALING JAYA: Besides initiatives to increase participation of workers in labour unions, workers groups also urged the government to strengthen the enforcement of labour laws to further uphold the rights of workers. Union Network International-Malaysia Labour Centre (UNIMLC) president Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mamal said there are still some employers who avoided paying the new minimum wage of RM1,700, which came into force on Feb 1. He said there are still complaints about employers not paying the minimum wage, not issuing offer letters or failing to pay workers' contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Social Security Organisation (PERKESO). 'I urge the government to ensure stricter enforcement of labour laws to uphold the rights of workers,' he said when contacted. Mohamed Shafie also said that with wider participation of workers in labour unions, there will be greater bargaining power in terms of incomes. He pointed out that awareness on unions now is not as significant as in the past. He said this could be due to more government interventions in ensuring the welfare of workers. 'Back then, workers, through unions, would have to fight for their rights, such as decent wages. 'However, nowadays the government has acknowledged that the quality of life has changed and there is a pressing need for better wages and working conditions,' added Mohamed Shafie, whose association has over 450,000 members across 120 labour unions nationwide. Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs) secretary- general Abdul Rahman Mohd Nordin agreed that workers' bargaining power will increase in tandem with higher unionisation. 'Unions were the ones who would fight for the rights of workers, including the increase in incomes,' he said. He acknowledged that awareness of the benefits of being a unionised worker is lower now compared to decades ago. For this, Abdul Rahman lauded the government's recent announcement of the Madani Workers' Card initiative or Kad Pekerja Madani, which is expected to benefit a million union members nationwide. He said the initiative will not only protect the welfare of workers but also encourage participation in unions. 'The initiative will ensure that workers feel appreciated and encourage them to actively participate in union activities,' he added. Mohamed Shafie Mohamed Shafie concurred, saying that the initiative will not only help reduce the financial burden of low-income workers but also boost the rate of union memberships. 'This is a good move because while it could help reduce the financial burdens of workers, it could also attract workers to join unions,' he said. Members of all labour unions will be able to enjoy up to 30% discounts on about 100 selected services and products through the Madani Workers' Card. The discounts are expected to benefit about one million union members nationwide. According to the Trade Union Affairs Department, there are slightly over one million unionised workers across public, private and statutory bodies nationwide as of 2023. Meanwhile, the Statistics Department's Labour Force survey showed that in 2023, the total labour force was 16.37 million people. This makes the total number of unionised workers in Malaysia only roughly 6% of the total labour force. Khazanah Research Institute in 2022 showed that a higher density of unionisation would translate to better bargaining power for workers. The think-tank had drawn a comparison between Malaysia and Belgium, where half of its labour force is unionised. The high rate of unionisation of Belgian workers showed that they had 96% better bargaining power compared to Malaysia's labour force of just 0.4%. Mohd Shafie urged employers to treat labour unions as partners instead of 'enemies'. 'If this mentality is ingrained among bosses, I believe that we, as a nation, can achieve greater heights,' he said.
The Star
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Savings for union members
United for workers' rights: Anwar (centre) launching the 2025 National Labour Day celebration at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil. With him are (from left) Sim, Ahmad Zahid, Fadillah and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Members of all labour unions will be able to enjoy up to 30% discounts on about 100 selected services and products courtesy of the newly launched Kad Pekerja Madani. All private and public sector union members are eligible to apply for the card which was launched by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the national-level Labour Day celebration yesterday. The discounts span across 100 brands and are expected to benefit about one million union members nationwide, the Prime Minister said. According to the Kad Pekerja Madani website, participating brands include those in food and beverage, clothing and education as well as travel sectors. Workers can apply for the card through the Kad Pekerja Madani website and successful applicants will receive a digital card with a unique QR code. One of the aims of the programme is to reduce the living costs of union members through discounts and special perks, the website said. 'It is hoped that the benefits would also attract more workers to join unions and expand the social safety net for workers,' the website said. Present during the card's launch at the Labour Day Carnival 2025 at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, other Cabinet members and senior government officers. Anwar also presented several awards in conjunction with the national-level Labour Day celebrations. Among them were the Worker Icon Award (Anugerah Tokoh Pekerja), Best Employer, Best Workers' Union and Best Media Agency. In his speech, Anwar urged companies to share their profits with their workers by fairly compensating them. 'Yes I want companies to make profits, but don't keep the profits to yourselves,' he said in his speech at the Labour Day Carnival 2025 at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil here yesterday. He also said workers' rights go beyond just increasing their wages but involve providing a healthy workplace, training and decent housing. 'Without the cleaners and technicians, We won't achieve success,' he said. Anwar's speech received thunderous applause from over 10,000 attendees at the event who comprised labour union members from the public and private sectors. 'We started with increasing the minimum wage,' he said, referring to the RM1,700 monthly wage level set by the unity government in February. 'When we discussed this matter in the Cabinet, it was not easy as we received a lot of feedback and concerns from some employers,' he said. 'Some employers said there will be no investment, that production costs would increase.' Although the government accepted this feedback, it still had to think of the welfare of the workers at the lowest rungs of society, said Anwar. 'So we increased (the minimum wage) a little to protect their income and provide for their welfare,' he said.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
All workers should enjoy country's prosperity, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: The country's economic prosperity should be shared with everyone, especially to the workers who have contributed in building the country, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He also said that the workers' rights go beyond only increased wages, but also decent quality of health, education and housing. 'Our approach is not only on the increase of wages because we want this country to prosper, not only for the few, but for all. 'Without the cleaners... technicians, there won't be success,' he said in his speech at the Labour Day Carnival 2025 at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil here on Thursday (May 1). His speech received thunderous applause from over 10,000 spectators comprising labour unions from the public and private sectors. 'We started with increasing the minimum wage. When we discussed this matter in the Cabinet, it was not easy as we received a lot of feedback and concerns from some employers. 'Some employers said that the production costs would increase and be burdensome, but until when would the condition of the workers remain the same?' he said. Anwar called the rakyat to give the government the opportunity to further build the nation against all adversities. ALSO READ: Labour Day: Fair Wages, stronger labour laws and workers' rights vital, says Lam Thye He added that the struggle of the workers goes beyond skin colour, region, race and religion. 'When we fight for workers' rights, we never talk about their race. We're strong because of our unity, because we want change. 'The workers are the majority, who will decide who is the Prime Minister, his policy, they are the ones who will set the path for the country,' he said. He also urged employers to share the profits and compensate their workers who had helped build the company's performance. "Yes, I want the company to make profits, but don't keep the profits to yourselves," he added. Anwar also said that the Gig Workers Bill to further enhance the welfare of the workers will be tabled in the upcoming parliament's sitting. He also announced Kad Pekerja Madani, which would benefit over a million union members nationwide. Cardholders would have access to up to 30% off discounts from over 100 companies, offering products and services. Meanwhile, a one-stop centre combining several labour-related government agencies will also be established in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor to ensure accessibility. Also present at the event were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, among other Cabinet members and senior government officers. Anwar also delivered 14 awards in conjunction with the national-level Labour Day. Among them were National Employer Icon Awards (Anugerah Tokoh Pekerja), Best Employer, Best Union and Best Media Agency.
New Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar launches Madani card offering discounts to over one million trade union members
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today launched the Madani Employee Card (Kad Pekerja Madani), aimed at providing workers with discounts on various services. The card, which has been issued to over one million trade union members, provides access to discounts of up to 30 per cent at several companies offering essential goods and services. This includes Mydin, Jakel, Marrybrown, and Genting, Old Town White Coffee, Zuss Coffee, SOCAR, and Bateriku. "The Madani Employee Card is intended to provide union members who hold this card with discounts on these facilities," he said in his keynote address at the National Day Celebration today.
