THE Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) has called for a discussion with the Health Ministry, union and employee representatives on the issue of Covid-19 allowance claims involving health personnel.
Its president Adnan Mat said in a statement today that bilateral talks between employers and workers would resolve the issue as a whole.
“The views and opinions of the unions or employee representatives should be taken into account to ensure the rights and welfare of front-line workers are well-protected.
“Therefore, Cuepacs hopes that the Health Ministry will review and duly consider to facilitate the payment of the Covid-19 allowance. Improvements should be made so that front-liners are not deprived of their rights,” he said in a statement today.
Adnan was commenting on reports that bureaucracy is complicating the claims made by Health Ministry front-liners.
Adnan also urged other government agencies and departments such as Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian armed forces, the Immigration and Customs Departments to cooperate in this matter and facilitate the payment of special allowances for their front-line personnel.
“The allowance provided by the government is a great morale booster. We should not dampen the spirit with bureaucracy, ” he said.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin when announcing the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package on March 27 announced a special allowance increase from RM400 to RM600 for health workers such as doctors, nurses and other medical staff directly involved in the management and containment of Covid-19.
The government will also pay a monthly allowance of RM200 to the military, police, customs, immigration, Civil Defence Force and Rela personnel involved in enforcing the movement-control order. It will be paid from April 1 till the end of the pandemic. – Bernama, May 9, 2020.
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