26 April 2007
- Labour news from UNI global union - for trade unions in a global services economy.
Workers in the supermarkets do not have trade union rights, not covered by any social protection and do not have decent work. A situational analysis of their working conditions reflected that they are living in very adverse conditions. Ironically, there was a tight labour market in the country and there was a demand for commerce sector workers as there are many supermarket chains operating in the country. However due to influx of migrant workers from Indonesia, Nepal, Vietnam, China, Bangladesh and others the situation is reversed from short of supply to an over supply of workers which lead to the lowering of wages and employment conditions. Furthermore, the jobs are mostly low skill so they can be easily filled up by migrant workers. Incidentally, Malaysia has about two million migrant workers working in the country. To make matters worse rivalries and competition among the companies are leading to the race to the bottom and are dramatically lowering employment standards and working conditions. As the workers were not represented by trade unions they become victims to the situation and are at the mercy of un- enlightened employers.
A project planning workshop was held in UNI Head office on 10-11 April 2007 to address development and organising efforts for workers in supermarkets. The workshop was attended by representatives of HANDELS, UNI APRO, Global Union Commerce and UNI Development Region Department. The outcome of the workshop was the launching of the UNI APRO Organising Commerce Sector project which targeted workers in four supermarkets in Malaysia. Bro Shafie BP Mammal the President of UNI Malaysian Liaison Council (MLC) said that the commerce sector has a high potential for organising and with the right strategies and approach it can become the number one sector in the country. Among others, the meeting was attended by Raul Raquena Asst General Secretary UNI, Carin Andersson Project Manager DRD UNI, Marcus Petersson Policy Officer Global Union Commerce UNI, Roger Hemming Project Co-ordinator HANDELS, Dalama, Stiina Isaksson International Secretary HANDELS, Shafie Mohammad President UNI MLC and Hashim Lobe Director Trade Union Development Activities, UNI Apro
The meeting concluded that there should be greater cooperation and information sharing among the partners. They also realised and agreed on the need for greater involvement of solidarity support organisations in ithe project by providing resource persons and in areas of technical co-operation. The highlight of the meeting was the signing of the institutional framework of co-operation by all the project partners involved.
