THE authorities must investigate employers who failed to protect their frontline staff during the Covid-19 outbreak, said Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah.

She said frontline staff should not be facing punitive actions for raising their grouses,

She was referring to the arrest of five individuals yesterday for obstructing public servants from carrying out their duties during a protest.

The protest was held by the members of the National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services (NUWHSAS), who are mostly hospital cleaners, in front of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) in Ipoh.

The protesters were employees of UEM Edgenta Berhad that provides maintenance services to government hospitals, among others.

They wanted to raise attention to the grouses of hospital cleaners, including the lack of protective gear.

Three Parti Sosialis Malaysia members who took part in the protest, and two NUWHSAS officials were arrested.

“The authorities must investigate the company on alleged claims of harassment faced by workers.

“Detaining hardworking women and men, especially those from vulnerable communities that are already struggling, is just downright cruel.

“These are workers who earn minimum wage and barely make enough money to survive.

“The police must release all detainees and drop all charges against them,” she said in a statement today.

She added that action against these employees is unfair and cruel, and shows the total lack of respect and care by employers towards those already risking their lives daily to protect the rest from Covid-19.

In a statement yesterday, the public-listed UEM Edgenta said it had implemented safety measures to safeguard the health and safety of its employees throughout the pandemic.

“As part of the company’s corporate responsibility activities with key stakeholders, UEM Edgenta maintains numerous communications channels for employees to promote effective communications.

“The company is also committed to resolve internal matters impacting its employees in an amicable manner, by also engaging the relevant authorities such as the Labour Department whenever required.”

In March, hospital cleaners in Teluk Intan Hospital held a similar protest against UEM Edgenta. – June 3, 2020.