MoHR must protect job seekers from discrimination

Protecting job seekers from discrimination would be in line with the spirit of PH’s manifesto, insist civil society groups.

The Ministry of Human Resources under the purview of Minister Kula Segaran must declare whether the welfare and rights of the future workforce is a priority in the nation’s reform agenda championed by the Pakatan Harapan government.

The future workforce comprises – but is not limited to – fresh graduates, teenagers, and women of all races, religions, and backgrounds, entering with the hope of igniting or improving their career.

We note the ministry has stated that no final decision has been made on whether to include or remove protection for job seekers in the Employment Act as they are waiting for the cabinet to make the decision. We urge all cabinet ministers to support protecting job seekers from discrimination.

The PH government entrusted by the people has an uncompromising responsibility to ensure that equal and non-discriminatory employment opportunities are created to cater to the burgeoning rate of unemployment and underemployment in Malaysia.

Excluding job seekers from the proposed anti-discrimination provisions leaves them vulnerable to arbitrary discriminatory practices by employers. The exclusion of job seekers from this provision would condone unwarranted discrimination – primarily on the grounds of ethnicity, language, religion, gender and disability.

Pusat Komas has also recorded instances where numerous job seekers have been denied job interviews due to their ethnic origins. Additionally, job advertisements preferring specific ethnic groups by employers were also reported and featured in our annual Malaysia Racial Discrimination Report (2018).

These accounts of racial discriminations in the preliminary stages towards employment were proven to be digressing us from our path to build an inclusive society that promotes unity in diversity.

One common argument against protecting job seekers from discrimination under the Employment Act is that the act only covers employees and employers, and not job seekers.

This argument, however, has been refuted by many lawyers including former Malaysian Bar president Ragunath Kesavan. He stressed that such protection for job seekers is both “reasonable” and essential and further highlighted that there is no barrier to prohibiting discrimination during recruitment.

There have also been suggestions to instead introduce a separate pre-employment act. However, this is unnecessary as the Employment Act can be amended to cover the pre-employment phase.

Protecting job seekers from discrimination would be in line with the spirit of PH’s manifesto.

One of PH’s promises is to form a commission of fair employment opportunities (suruhanjaya peluang pekerjaan saksama). The commission is meant to address discriminatory recruitment practices among employers in the public and private sectors.

The manifesto also clearly states that all Malaysian will be given equal employment opportunities regardless of their ethnicity.

By removing job seekers from the proposed anti-discrimination provision in the Employment Act, the government is departing from the spirit of its manifesto.

Therefore, we strictly remind the government to weigh in the importance of including job seekers within the law instead of packaging it merely as toothless guidelines.

This statement is endorsed by:

1. Agora Society
2. Aliran
3. All Women’s Action Society (Awam)
4. Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim)
5. Beyond Borders Malaysia
6. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
7. Childline Foundation
8. Demokrat UM
9. Foreign Spouse Support Group (FSSG)
10. Gabungan Pembebasan Akademik IPT
11. Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy
12. Ikatan Mahasiswa USM
13. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
14. Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS)
15. Komuniti Muslim Universal (KMU)
16. Mahasiswa Keadilan Malaysia
17. Malaysia Muda
18. Malaysian Action for Justice and Unity Foundation (Maju)
19. MyPJ
20. Parti Sosialis Malaysia
21. Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (Gerak)
22. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)
23. Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram)
24. Pusat Komas
25. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)
26. SCRIPS
27. SEPA
28. Students Unity Front, UKM
29. Student Progressive Front UUM
30. Suaram
31. The Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham)
32. Toy Libraries Malaysia
33. University Malay Association of New Youth (Umany)
34. UTM – MJIIT Voices
35. Women Aid Organisation (WAO)

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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