MTUC Sarawak urges Petronas to prioritise worker welfare during retrenchment
Zaidi Nasar
KUCHING (June 8): The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Sarawak has urged Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) to prioritise workers' well-being and conduct the retrenchment process responsibly.
In a statement today, Its chairman Zaidi Nasar emphasised that workers are vital assets to the country's economy and their well-being must be given priority.
He suggested that Petronas and the government offer new skills training to help workers transition into other industries such as green energy, digital technology and entrepreneurship.
Zaidi also proposed temporary financial assistance through social protection schemes such as Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) to help workers during this transition.
'Petronas can collaborate with other companies in the energy industry to assist in the relocation of workers through job matching and specialised training,' he said.
Recognising the stress retrenchment can cause, he added, 'Psychological support and counseling should be provided through government or employer programmes.'
This statement was issued in response to Petronas' decision to retrench about 5,000 workers, mostly those on contract, as part of its restructuring measures.
Zaidi highlighted that retrenched workers face uncertainty in securing new employment, especially in an increasingly competitive industry.
He stressed that Petronas and the government must ensure that affected workers receive compensation in accordance with the Employment Act 1955 or Collective Agreement, including notice pay, termination benefits, payment of annual leave balance and balance of wages, if any.
Employers, he noted, are required to provide adequate notice of termination as stipulatedin the service contract or the Employment Act 1955.
Furthermore, he said that trade unions must be involved in negotiations to ensure that workers receive appropriate protection and assistance.
'The government must provide various initiatives such as retraining programmes and financial assistance to workers affected by retrenchment,' he added.
Zaidi said MTUC Sarawak will continue to work toward ensuring that workers' rights are protected and finding the best way to address retrenchment issues. lead Malaysian Trades Union Congress Petronas retrenchment Zaidi Nasar
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