BUTTERWORTH: Employees of a steel factory at Jalan Chain Ferry here are demanding that their employer resolves their salary adjustment issue which has been put on hold for more than a year.
The issue between the company and the workers' union came after the earlier agreement, which lapsed on Dec 31, 2018, could not be renewed as what was done every three years.
Malaysian Trade Unions Congress (MTUC) northen region industrial relations officer V. Vijayan said they had discussed with the management for an amicable solution to the matter.
He said failure to renew the agreement impacted the salary adjustment of the employees, some of whom have been working for more than 30 years.
He said that, till now, six rounds of discussions had been held, with the latest one on Feb 19, but the management cited losses suffered by the company as the reason why the new agreement could not be signed.
"We have put forth numerous proposals such as salary adjustment with two-time increment as well as a 'win win' situation to ensure the management is not burdened.
"However, the management still opted for a single increment with 'sagu hati'. If we are unable to settle this matter, it will be taken to the Industrial Court," he said when met today.
Earlier, some 80 employees of the company staged a peaceful demonstration in front of the factory here. A similar demonstration was also held at another factory belonging to the same company in Nibong Tebal.
Employees held banners, which among others, read "Hak pekerja terabai" (Workers' right sidelined), "Pengurusan tak berhati perut" (Inhumane management) and "Majikan untung berjuta-juta, pekerja rugi" (Employer profits by the million, employees suffer losses).
Meanwhile, Abdul Halim Ismail, 39, said he had been working with the factory for the past 20 years with a monthly salary of RM1,700 or up to RM2,500 monthly with overtime.
"This is the first time this has happened since I tarted working here. With the increasing cost of living, it is only right our salary is also increased.
"Imagine with what I am getting, I am raising three children, aged 5, 9 and 12. It is a case of 'cukup makan' for us," he added.
The factory management, meanwhile, declined to comment when contacted.