Utusan journalists set to picket over unpaid salaries

Zaim Ibrahim Zaim Ibrahim Updated 7 years ago · Published on 18 Sep 2018 7:00AM · 8 Comments

Malay daily Utusan Malaysia is owned by Umno, which performed badly as part of the Barisan Nasional coalition in the last elections. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, September 18, 2018.

MORE than 100 journalists and photographers of financially troubled Malay daily Utusan Malaysia are ready to stage a picket after being told by management that the company has run out of cash, said a source.

The owner of the Umno mouthpiece, Kumpulan Utusan Melayu Bhd, has delayed salaries since last month, the source told The Malaysian Insight.

The August salary of executives was only paid on September 6, while the half-month salary for September, which should be paid on September 15, is now expected on September 21.

Journalists who are members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) have agreed to picket, an action they described as a “desperate act” after the paper largely ignored the welfare of non-executive staff.

“Most of them (have agreed to picket). Right now, more than 100 journalists and photographers have agreed to it,” said the source, who has knowledge of the planned industrial action.

The Malaysian Insight has also been made to understand that the paper’s management has remained silent on how it plans to resolve its cash crunch after failing to pay salaries for the last two months.

On Friday, Utusan NUJ advised its members to only show up for work at the office and not go on field assignments to protest against the company’s financial mismanagement.

“Many of the journalists and photographers can’t even afford to eat because they have no money,” said the source.

The source added that perks such as medical have been cut since 2014.

Utusan Malaysia's daily circulation was around 112,000 as at the end of last year. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, September 18, 2018.

“They were instead asked to pay out of their pocket first for any medical treatment, and apply for reimbursement later.”

Utusan NUJ also disclosed that the company has not been paying mandatory deductions, such as Employees Provident Fund, nor reimbursed staff’s travel and medical claims, or paid their bank loans.

“We were informed via a memo last month that all facilities at our appointed clinics have been cancelled, and we were told to go to government clinics, which are free,” said the source.

An Utusan journalist said morale at the paper is at an all-time low, and no one has any desire to work.

They are also holding out on the prospect of leaving under a voluntary separation scheme (VSS).

In June, the company floated the idea of offering VSS at year-end, a step that could cost RM90 million.

Utusan is currently a PN17 company – denoting its financials are inadequate as a listed entity – after defaulting on loan repayments amounting to RM1.2 million to two banks. – September 18, 2018. 

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • This racist mouth piece for umno should be put out of business for good. They are a disgrace & not good for multiracial Malaysia.
    Good riddance.

    Posted 7 years ago by Gabriel Chelliah · Reply

  • Bye2 Utusan

    Posted 7 years ago by Sabah One · Reply

  • So UMNO took care of you mouthpieces, eh? Oh wait a minute! Umnos Too busy looking out for its survival that, it forgot about utusan!

    Posted 7 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • Time to put Putusan out of its misery.

    Posted 7 years ago by Antares Maitreya · Reply

  • Money frozen after the raid, monthly allowance affected. Bungkus.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ramli Sirap · Reply

  • When have money to eat , Utusan and its staff were extreme racist without a bother in causing miseries to others. They make believe that they are untouchable from the ketuanan indoctrination and big brother Umno is the shield. Total arrogance and never in mind to be united as Malaysian. All the journalists and the Awang shit were spoil for any confrontations and ready to make damning statement on their race supremacy. Now it is pay back time. No money to buy food is least of the rakyat concern. Go and hound your master Umno. Infact the rakyat were love to see you guys begging in the street. Padan muka !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Why are UMNO members willing to give their gold to save the kleptocrat but not doing the same for its propaganda machine? Perhaps it is time for Awang Selamat to look for a new job elsewhere.

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • Kesian betoi Awang Selamat the best place to picket is UMNO HQ . Bawa geng Baju merah Si Jamban dan budak budak dia la !

    Posted 7 years ago by John Fam · Reply