Friday, June 14, 2013

415 Cambodian Nike workers sacked for striking

One of IndustriALL Global Union’s affiliated garment worker trade unions in Cambodia, the FTUWKC, has suffered a serious backlash for striking in demand of a US$14 monthly pay increase. IndustriALL is working with Nike to intervene.

The workers at the Sabrina factory in Kampong Speu province, west of the capital Phnom Penh produce for Nike, Wilson Sports Apparel and Lululemon Athletica. The latest development in the concerning case is the mass-sacking of 415 workers identified by Sabrina management as participating in the strike.

Celebrating Workers Day with children

CARING: MTUC Penang honours employees and invites children from two homes for its Workers Solidarity dinner

GEORGE TOWN: THE Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Penang division celebrated Workers Day by presenting donations to two orphanages at its Workers Solidarity dinner at the Taman Chai Leng Multipurpose Hall in Prai recently.
Division chairman S. Ravindran said after the successful participation of an orphanage last year, the committee decided to extend the invitation to more less fortunate children this year.
"We also decided to donate RM1,500 each to both the orphanages," said Ravindran.
The two orphanages were Rumah Kanak-Kanak Taman Bakti from Kepala Batas and the Sunshine Cottage Orphanage from Kulim.
Five guardians and 35 children attended the dinner.
Division secretary K. Veeriah made a personal donation by giving ang pow to the children.
The children were among 600 guests comprising government officials, union members, former union officials and captains of industries.
Present at the dinner were the state Labour Department director Hoe Lean Fatt, MTUC former state chairman and ex-national vice-president Abdul Razak Abdul Hamid.
MTUC Penang organised many activities in conjunction with Workers Day.
Among them were the Workers Memorial Day; a two-day Socso-MTUC Health and Safety seminar; futsal and bowling competitions and other indoor games.
Ravindran said employees faced many challenges such as the non-implementation of the Minimum Wages Order 2012 and the Retirement Age Act 2012; outsourcing; discrimination against workers through unjustified amendments to the Employment Act 1955; and disregard to workers and human rights regulations.
He said the division objected to the amendments made on the Employment Act.
He claimed that the changes to the Act favoured employers and failed safeguard the welfare of workers.
Ravindran, who is the Penang Municipal Services Union (PMSU) president, wants the government to also provide a 24-hour Socso coverage for workers.
The present scheme only covers employees commuting from home to the workplace and vice versa.
Veeriah said those with work-related problems can come to the MTUC Penang Division office at 2965, Jalan Prai, Taman Inderawasih, Prai.
Alternatively, they can call S. Ravindran (019-477 6437); vice-chairman Mohamad Osman (016-477 5826), K. Veeriah (016-418 4520) , for assistance.
K. Veeriah (second from left) presenting a cheque to S. Shan of Sunshine Cottage Orphanage (right). With them are (from left) S. Ravindran, MTUC Penang division treasurer V. Vijayan, Mohamad Osman and MTUC Penang division assistant secretary Mohamad Fauzi Ibrahim. Pic by K. Kandiah

Read more: Celebrating Workers Day with children - Northern - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/celebrating-workers-day-with-children-1.299730#ixzz2WB8po1UC