Labour Day greetings & hope!

The world celebrates Labour Day to remind us of the struggle of our fathers or forefathers in ascertaining better wages, better working conditions & safety, ample rest etc. In short, better social justice & future.
Labour Day is also to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers.
The celebration of Labour Day has its origins in the Eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
In Malaysia, Union activity began prior to independence from the Brits. Yes, Workers & labourers had indeed played pivotal roles in seeking social justice & reforms. They bandied together and formed Unions & Affiliations, which later, in 1949 formed Malayan Trades Union Council. It then changed its name to the Malayan Trades Union Congress in 1958, and then to its current name with the formation of Malaysia.
Malaysian Trade Union Congress, has since then played its role & had organised a multitude of campaigns, initiatives & programmes in training, education, awareness of worker’s rights(Human Rights incl) & empowering a key fabric of the Malaysian society.
Yes, our nation’s workforce in a mix of youths and veterans, nevertheless the youths of this nation are the dominant workforce, just like any other nation, with “baby boomers”.
Today, MTUC is fighting for RM900 minimum monthly wage, whereby “without a national minimum wage, thousands of workers pay remain RM450.” MTUC is also campaigning to raise the maternity leave to 90 days.
We are opposed to new amendmends that affects workers rights without mediation nor consensus from MTUC, which represents workers & unions alike as an umbrella body.
Despite the arrest of 6 anti GST protesters today, who were also present to celebrate Labour Day & read Labour Day Declaration together, the fight to champion workers & labourers rights & better socio-economic justice will never cease.
With Solidarity & perestroika we can achieve glasnost!
I wish to congratulate Bro. Syed Shahir bin Syed Mohamud(President),Bro. Mohd Khalid bin Hj Atan(Deputy President),Bro.G. Rajasekaran(Secretary General), the rest of the team at MTUC, all other Unions & Affiliates and most importantly, all employee, workers & labourers through out the nation, A Happy Labour Day & Keep Up The Good Work.
I hope Pak Syed will continue to helm MTUC to greater heights before passing the baton.

Pengarang: Shamsul Iskandar

Ahli Parlimen Bukit Katil, Melaka Ketua Angkatan Muda KEADILAN (AMK), Parti KEADILAN Rakyat (PKR) Pengerusi KEADILAN Majlis Pimpinan Negeri Melaka Peguam, Yusof Rahmat & co, Ketua KeADILan Cabang Jasin, Melaka Lihat semua kiriman oleh Shamsul Iskandar