KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) alleged that it has received complaints from workers and unions regarding employers' failure to abide by Employment Act amendments since its implementation last week.
Secretary-General Kamarul Baharin Mansor said in a statement today that he had received complaints on employers' failure comply to the Employment Act amendment, including failing to abide by the 45 hour work-week.
"Employers are trying to utilise other methods to ensure that employees spend at least 48 hours each week at the office by not paying them for their break hours,"
Kamarul claimed that unsatisfied workers were angry at their employers when their terms of employment were amended without their knowledge.
"This employers' behaviour has caused anger among employees because the period of stay at the company does not change,"
"The purpose of reducing working hours is to help employees achieve work-life balance,"
"Workers should be allowed to spend time with their families with shorter working hours, but regrettably, employers utilise different methods to make sure employees remain in the company for 48 hours,"
In order to ensure employees' welfare, Kamarul urged the Human Resources ministry to perform checks on all companies to determine that they comply with the Act's amendments.
He said that employers who don't abide by the amendments should be punished.
The amendments to the Act are focused on safeguarding employees' rights and to make local rules in line with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention.
Previously, five retailer groups have requested Putrajaya to postpone the amendments' implementation. They also expressed concern over the RM4,000 maximum salary for workers' overtime eligibility, 45-hour work-week, 98 days maternity leave, and flexible working arrangements.