Day: November 6, 2015

Study TPPA text without prejudice, Ideas tells rakyat

admin

Source: FMT News

CEO Wan Saiful Wan Jan says rakyat should not be swayed by anti-globalisation activists and politicians who will try to “score cheap points.”

Pic from FMT

PETALING JAYA: Now that the full text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) has been released by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the people should strive to read and understand its contents without prejudice, said Wan Saiful Wan Jan of Ideas.

In a press statement today, the CEO of the local think tank said, “We urge the Malaysian public to carefully study this document and they certainly must not be influenced by the anti-globalisation activists and politicians who are trying to score cheap points.”

He lamented that many had made up their minds “blindly” without reading the text at all, in total disregard of civil servants who had worked tirelessly to negotiate for the best deals possible that would benefit the country. Read more →

MTUC doubts TPPA can protect workers’ rights

admin

Source: The Malaysian Insider

“TPPA: Malaysia Is Not For Sale” books sits on display during its launching at the Karangkraf Complex in Shah Alam on July 11, 2014. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement has met strong opposition in Malaysia. Malaysian Trades Union Congress says a provision under TPPA on removing restrictions on unions would not make much difference to workers’ rights. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, November 6, 2015.

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has expressed doubt that worker related issues will be resolved even if Putrajaya amend labour laws as required under the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

Its secretary-general N. Gopal Kishnam said employers were the stumbling block to setting up unions in workplaces.

“It is easy to register unions but difficult to obtain recognition from employers to enter into collective bargaining,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

Gopal was responding to the TPPA summary text released yesterday, which revealed that long-standing restrictions on unions and strikes must be removed.

He said Putrajaya had yet to ratify the International Labour Orgaisation (ILO) Convention 87 on Freedom of Association.

“This convention paves the way for workers to set up unions to protect their rights and enter into collective bargaining,” he said. Read more →

Malaysia must tackle people trafficking to gain from TPP, unsealed deal shows

admin

Source: The Malay Mail Online

File picture shows migrant workers waiting in line for food in Kuala Lumpur. — File pic

File picture shows migrant workers waiting in line for food in Kuala Lumpur. — File pic

WASHINGTON, Nov 6 ― Malaysia will have to fully implement measures to combat human trafficking and Vietnam must allow independent labour unions before reaping the benefits of a new Pacific trade deal, details of the pact released yesterday showed.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will require countries to legislate for minimum wages and hours of work, discourage trade in goods made by forced labour and maintain labour protections in designated export zones as a condition of membership. Read more →

Keluarga warga Sarawak gesa Putrajaya pastikan banduan di Singapura terus hidup

admin

Sumber: The Malaysian Insider

Ahli keluarga Kho Jabing yang ketika ini menunggu hukuman mati di penjara Singapura, atas tuduhan membunuh, menyatakan kekecewaan terhadap “sikap acuh tidak acuh” Putrajaya berkenaan situasi hidup dan mati warga peribumi Sarawak

Ahli keluarga Kho Jabing yang ketika ini menunggu hukuman mati di penjara Singapura, atas tuduhan membunuh, menyatakan kekecewaan terhadap “sikap acuh tidak acuh” Putrajaya berkenaan situasi hidup dan mati warga peribumi Sarawak itu.

Jabing, 31, dijadualkan menjalani hukuman gantung pada waktu subuh hari ini tetapi mendapat kejutan semalam apabila pelaksanaannya ditangguhkan selepas Mahkamah Rayuan Singapura memberikan masa kepada peguamnya memfailkan usul jenayah bagi kes itu.

“Saya ingin mengucapkan terima kasih dan penghargaan dari hati saya kepada kumpulan pejuang hak Singapura, We Believe in Second Chances, dan peguam kerana jika tidak kerana mereka, abang saya pasti digantung esok (Jumaat),” kata Jumai, adik Jabing, dalam satu temu bual dengan The Malaysian Insider lewat semalam.

“Tetapi saya juga ingin menyatakan kekecewaan dan kekesalan amat sangat kerana sikap acuh tidak acuh yang ditunjukkan kerajaan Malaysia terhadap kes abang saya,” katanya. Read more →

Welfare department turns to minor offenders to help flood victims

admin

Source: The Malaysian Insider

A picture of devastation in Manek Urai, Kelantan, after last year's floods. The Social Welfare Department says 3,698 minor offenders will complete their social working hours imposed by court by helping flood victims this year. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, November 6, 2015.

A picture of devastation in Manek Urai, Kelantan, after last year’s floods. The Social Welfare Department says 3,698 minor offenders will complete their social working hours imposed by court by helping flood victims this year. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, November 6, 2015.

The Social Welfare Department (JKM) will seek workforce from 3,698 minor offenders to assist this year’s flood victims.

Its community service division director Che Samsuzuki Che Noh said offenders will help local authorities to do volunteer work including to evacuate victims to relief centres during floods.

“This will help these minor offenders to complete their social working hours imposed by the court,” he said after officiating A Day with JKM programme in Kampung Kubang Keladi, Bachok, Kelantan yesterday.

A total of 17 minor offenders participated in the programme that focused on volunteer service by cleaning a mosque in the village. – Bernama, November 6, 2015.