Thread by @AmnestyMy

1/ "KALAU KITA SENYAP, KITA TAK AKAN DAPAT HAK KITA."

As contract workers, cleaners are often paid the min. wage (RM1,200), don't receive annual pay rises or benefits like permanent contracts, 15 days of paid public holidays, annual leave, bonuses, retrenchment compensation.

2/ One worker we spoke to had been a cleaner for over 20 years. Her salary was RM1200. Her benefits had actually reduced over the course of her career -- a health benefit from RM1,200 to RM200, for example.

"Dari mana kita boleh mintak hak kita?" she asked.

3/ "After pension and social security deductions, cleaners’ average take-home pay is usually closer to RM1,000 (US$233)—in a country where the estimated living wage is nearly three times that, or RM2,700 (US$633) a month for a single person."

Source: newnaratif.com/journalism/we-…

4/ @KesatuanPSHK has also alleged the sub-contracted company of targeting cleaners active in the union by:

•Changing the working hours and shifts of workers active in the union;
•Arbitrarily transferring union members to hospitals far from their residence;

•Forbidding union-related discussion between union worksite committees and workers, even during break times;
•Disallowing union members from working overtime to increase their earnings;
•Intimidating and threatening union members with disciplinary action.

6/ Media reports have stated that this is creating a climate of silence and fear.

“Supervisors follow me around; they take photos of me. They change my [work] location around all the time. I’m not allowed to mix with other people...My locker was broken”

newnaratif.com/journalism/we-…

7/ On 2nd June, 5 activists (some of them cleaners), were involved a small picket denouncing the alleged mistreatment of cleaners. They practiced social distancing, wore masks, checked temperatures.

But they were arrested, remanded overnight, and chained in court.

8/ They face a fine of up to RM 1,000 (USD 234) each or up to six months’ imprisonment or both, for allegedly violating the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020 that outlaws mass gatherings.

9/

10/ We call on the Attorney General to repeal the case and drop all charges. Pickets are an essential component of the right to association. Those on the frontlines must not be punished for asking for better working conditions.

#CleanerJugaFrontliner
#HormatiPekerjaPembersihan