NAJIB LIKE HIS FATHER: A LABOUR PERSPECTIVE

By Sajad Hussein

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- To the labour movement in the country,
Prime Minister Najib Razak is just like his late father who was "very close and
considerate to workers."

Former Cuepacs president A. Ragunathan said the late Tun Razak Hussein, the
nation's second prime minister, "always had the interest of the workers at
heart and was ever willing to listen and solve their problems."

"Razak used to invite us to his official residence for dinner where union
leaders could discuss important issues with him in an informal and relaxed
atmosphere," he said.

"The rapport and personal relationship he had built over the years greatly
helped to improve the industrial relations situation in the country," he added.

Similarly, Najib, as the sixth prime minister, had "inherited his traits"
and in his first 100 days in office, had brought much cheer and hope to the
workers, especially the support group in the civil service.

The government's decision under Najib, to implement a time-based promotion
for the 300,000 support group in the civil service was a major move to shore up
the morale and confidence of the workers.

"The promotion for this category of employees was a "crucial" issue which
Cuepacs and all the unions affiliated to it were seeking to solve for years
without much success."

"Yet, just within a month of becoming premier, Najib managed to solve this
problem, which now allows those in the group to be promoted based on the number
of years they have served," Cuepacs secretary-general Ahmad Shah Mohd Zin, told
Bernama.

He said those with 15 years or more of service and were stuck on the maximum
salary scale for years were eligible to be promoted beginning this month.

"This will immediately benefit some 105,000 civil servants," he added.

Ahmad Shah said the prime minister had also indicated that he would meet
Cuepacs to listen to their members' grouses.

"In the next 100 days, Cuepacs hopes that Najib will be able to solve much
more issues, thus motivating civil servants to work harder and provide the kind
of service that the government wants for the people," he added.

Malaysian Technical Services Union (MTSU) secretary-general Samuel
Davadason said Najib's decision to extend the contract of Chief Secretary
of the Government Mohamad Sidek Hassan was an "excellent decision which will
further improve the delivery system within the civil service."

As for the private sector workers, the Najib administration had ensured that
job losss was kept to the minimum and those retrenched were provided with
opportunities to find alternative jobs.

The Najib administration had proposed increased income for the workers
through better and more innovative work culture.

"The PM's proposal is very interesting and deserves to be given priority
and should be studied in greater detail," Malaysian Employers Federation
executive director Shamsuddin Bardan said.

He added that increased disposable income was certainly welcomed by the
business community as it would boost their enterprises and the nation's economy.

MTUC secretary-general G. Rajasegaran said that in line with the proposal,
the congress had suggested a minimum wage of RM900 for the 10 million
private-secttor workers.

"We hope to discuss this with the prime minister soon," he added.
(US$1=RM3.53)
-- BERNAMA