MTUC slams plan to make Socso pay for workers’ Covid-19 tests

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 17 Apr 2020 1:05PM · 3 Comments

Covid-19 screening is recommended for those working in industries operating during the MCO. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, April 17, 2020.

FIRMS allowed to operate during the movement-control order should pay for their workers’ Covid-19 tests and not Socso, said the Malaysian Trades Union Congress.

It hit out at Minister of International Trade and Industry Azmin Ali, who said yesterday Socso would pay the cost of Covid-19 screenings for workers, as the fund is meant to protect injured or sick workers and their families. 

“MTUC is aghast with the minister’s statement that Socso will pick up the tab for the compulsory screening which will cost millions of ringgit and further deplete Socso’s dwindling coffers.

“If employers are keen to resume operations, which will obviously mainly benefit the company, it is only logical that they pay for the screening,” MTUC secretary-general J. Solomon said in a statement.

The workers’ compensation fund is built from monthly contributions from both workers and employers. 

“It is shocking that the government has no second thoughts about dipping into the hard-earned savings of poor workers to fund Covid-19 screenings which will benefit employers who get away scot-free from the burden of paying for the screenings of their own employees.    

“By using Socso funds for mandatory Covid-19 screening of workers, this government is blatantly treating Socso as its cash cow to fund pro-employer policies,” MTUC said, urging Azmin to justify why employers should be exempted from paying their workers’ Covid-19 screenings.

“These are workers needed by employers to restart making profits and yet it is Socso which has to pick up the bill to make that happen. This is blatantly unfair and lopsided.”

MTUC also said the authorities must check all workplaces allowed to operate during the MCO, as it has received complaints from workers that some employers are not practising health safety measures.

Workers are complaining that social distancing is not enforced in factory buses and company cafeterias. One such complaint came from a factory with 1,000 workers in each shift.

MTUC said the government should allow factories and workplaces to hire Rela and police voluntary reserve personnel to strengthen social distancing and other hygiene regulations at these places. – April 17, 2020.

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Comments

  • Socso has loaned hundreds of million to 1M.. , what has MTUC commented? Another hypocrite, at least this is for the benefit of workers. Set your mind correctly, MTUC leaders or we change u.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • There is a chinese saying "keep your mouth shut and we won't think you are dumb."

    Posted 4 years ago by Adrian Tan · Reply

  • MTUC again talking by looking at one side of the coin. Employers are getting assistance from the Govt. SOSCO's bad financial situation is because of mismanagement and MTUC did not speak otu then. Now is the time to give and take. Helping employers survive in this crisis is helping workers keep a job. Does MTUC know how many employers are now in deep financial problems and need all the help they can get? The big ones such as glove manufacturers, the supermarkets and hyper markets are having a great time now are an exception rather than a rule. Most businesses are suffering and MTUC don't seem to see the imminent danger of economic collapse if SMEs are allowed to close shop. The govt, for all its inadequacies have seen it. But the MTUC is still in the dark.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mike Mok · Reply