THE Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has urged all workers not to support the call to boycott non-Muslim products, telling them their true fight was for better wages and humane working conditions.

MTUC president Halim Mansor said the movement is based on racial and religious sentiments, which is unhealthy for the nation.

“We agree with the groups encouraging the use of halal products by Muslims as it is in line with the Islamic principles. It is also acceptable to encourage Malaysians to focus on Bumiputera products.

“However, it should not be at the expense of boycotting other local products,” he said in a statement today.

He also condemned the “overdrive” by groups and certain politicians to “poison the minds of consumers”.

“Any such campaign not only affects national unity adversely but also will also result in workers losing out across the board and from all races and religion.”

The boycott would also hurt Muslim workers working for non-Muslim companies producing halal or Muslim-friendly products.

Halim urged the country’s 15 million workers of different races to focus on fighting for more important issues like higher wages, better welfare and humane working conditions.

“Our job will be made difficult by these kinds of activities (boycott) as they will have an impact on their employers.

“Therefore, we hope workers will not buy into these sorts of sensationalism (movements) which we believe is aimed at raising hatred.”

Halim added that any boycott based on narrow racial interests would affect foreign investments and in turn, affect Malaysia and Malaysian jobs.

There have been campaigns by some Muslim groups since earlier this year to support Muslim-made products but this has morphed into a boycott of non-Muslim goods and services on social media last month.

Opposition political parties Umno and PAS have endorsed the Buy Muslim First campaign, and so has influential Malay pressure groups, Gerakan Pembela Ummah (Ummah) and the Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM).

They have denied that the movement is a boycott of non-Muslim products and only a call to support Muslim-made items.

Yesterday, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub said the call to boycott non-Bumiputera products would damage the economy and bring about enmity among the people.

The cabinet has also stated its opposition to the boycott. – September 14, 2019.