THE Malaysian Trades Union Congress wants Putrajaya to delay the implementation of the conditional movement control order (MCO) until such a time employer, workers and consumers have been given adequate space and opportunity to adjust.

MTUC secretary-general J. Solomon said stakeholders need more than three days implement new standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government.

“This will not take forever, but it will certainly take more than three days,” he said.

“To make it work, the government machinery must be visible on the ground to help everyone make the transition to the new normal smooth so that the economic recovery can be sustained and shielded from a fresh wave of Covid-19,” he said in a statement today.

Solomon said businesses need not worry about losing their income because once the MCO is totally lifted, the public will rush to buy all the items that they lack in huge quantities.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, in his Labour Day address, announced the relaxation of MCO restrictions starting Monday, which will see “nearly all” economic sectors allowed to resume work except for those requiring large gatherings or close contact.

He said businesses allowed to open must strictly observe SOPs for health to prevent new Covid-19 infections.

Solomon said Muhyiddin’s announcement comes as a shock to the MTUC as clearly, the government was doing too much to kick start the economy, given the Covid-19 pandemic threat remains real in Malaysia.

“He made the announcement despite figures showing that since April 25, more than half of the 380 new Covid-19 cases were local or community transmissions.

“A total of 248 or 65.3% of cases were community transmissions, compared to 132 imported cases (34.7%),” he said, adding that these figures should have been enough for the government to at least see through the completion of the fourth phase of the MCO, scheduled to end on May 12, before considering the possibility of easing the restrictions.

The MTUC secretary general warned that the statistics clearly showed that a new wave of Covid-19 outbreak remains a real possibility in the country and the number of hot spots across Malaysia is still high.

“No one wants to return to business as usual more than the 15 million workers in the country, but has the government ensured that employers have put the safeguards in place?

“Is there enough enforcement on the ground to ensure employers comply? Are these screenings actually taking place?” he said, adding that these important issues had to be addressed before companies are given the greenlight to resume operations.

“MTUC cannot fathom the need for the government to lift major MCO restrictions with just three days’ notice to the rakyat.

“Companies, restaurants, shopping malls, coffee shops clearly need much more time to make the necessary adjustment. They must be provided with the information on SOPs,” he said.

He said the authorities must ensure compliance with the SOPs before giving approval for these entities to operate.

Solomon said only by doing so, can the government secure public confidence and ensure the business community can sustain operations by maintaining the highest health care standards. – May 2, 2020.