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LABOUR
Globalisation erodes workers’ rights A call for workers to resist the might of capital
by Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud
As we celebrate Labour Day this year, it is imperative for us to reflect upon the challenges which we, the working class, are faced with. Globalization, taken advantage of by the proponents of an uncaring form of capitalism, has been used as a tool to internationalize the exploitation of workers. Governments are increasingly playing a secondary role to Trans-National Corporations (TNCs). The objectives of TNCs are one and the same, which is to maximize profits. They have no qualms about doing it at the expense of the masses, and Governments are succumbing to the strength of the TNC dollar. Call for workers to unite internationally The divide between the haves and the have-nots has increased since the advent of globalization. There are many more people in the world who are being pushed to the fringes of poverty, all in the name of lowering costs to maximize profits. Investors are portrayed as sacred cows, with the masses warned not to incur their wrath. Demands for wage increases, the legitimate and inalienable right of all workers, are being touted as ‘wrong’. Management would rather that Unions make their appeals with a whisper and allow discretion or charity to be exercised by those who own the means of production. The position of the working class in our modern society has been cheapened to such an extent that Management can come up with various ingenious schemes to take the initiative away from organized labour. Dilemma for labour The protection accorded to workers in this country is being diminished, all in the name of giving greater leeway to capital to exercise its every whim and fancy freely. The main areas which need to be given attention to are : a. Recognition of unions Recognition of unions is the pulse of trade unionism. Unfortunately, the Government bureaucracy is used as an excuse to delay claims for recognition by Unions to represent workers in Companies. It is not uncommon for such claims to be lying idle on the desks of Human Resources Ministry officials for years. I would venture to say that if no pressure is applied, the claims would not be processed. The process for determining whether the Unions have a majority to represent workers in a Company, as prescribed by the law, leaves much to be desired. Very little protection, if any, is given to the more active members who are victimised under various guises by their Companies. The MTUC is calling for a more transparent and speedier system to deal with claims for recognitions by Unions. b. Minimum wage The absence of a minimum wage in this country speaks volumes for the status of the common worker in society. When less progressive nations such as Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam and even a supposedly low labour-cost haven like China have in place a minimum wage mechanism, there is no good reason why Malaysia cannot have one. A minimum wage, which is revised periodically, would ensure that no citizen would have to work at a wage level that does not allow him to take care of his and his family’s basic needs. It certainly cannot be too much to ask for. It is meaningless to have mega-projects, which often turn out to be white elephants when our social institutions cannot guarantee a decent living wage. c. Lack of consultation Workers in this country are in the majority. Yet, it would seem that decision-making powers are vested in the hands of a very few. This has given rise to an elitist form of governance, which is not in the interest of the general public. Workers’ representatives should be consulted on all issues affecting them, be it the issue of foreign labour, amendments to legislation affecting the workers and the like. Any decision made after consultation and deliberation would be democratic and palatable to the public at large. There are many other matters to raise but it would suffice for me to raise these immediate and urgent issues on the occasion of this year’s May Day. Call for solidarity The need for workers’ solidarity is of paramount importance today as it was when our brothers and sisters from the trade union movements of bygone generations who fought for an 8-hour work day, a weekly rest day, healthy working conditions, etc. which we enjoy today. We are today faced with the scourge of globalization, which depresses the wages of workers internationally. Outsourcing of work is one of the schemes resorted to in order to lower wages and maximise profit by shifting jobs to lower labour-cost countries. The shifts of this nature will continue to take place. If China is the place to be now to enjoy this benefit, we can be rest assured that there will be a similar shift away from China in time to come; when the cost of labour rises there. The bottom of the barrel is unknown. In the meantime, families struggle to make ends meet while their quality of life is being compromised by an uncaring and unfeeling capitalism. We should all now redouble our efforts and resolve to increase the membership of Unions in order to strengthen the labour movement so that it can accord workers greater protection. An increase in numerical strength will allow for greater voice and better resistance to stand up against the might of capital and regain our rights.
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The absence of a minimum wage in this country speaks volumes for the status of the common worker in society.
