If you've just learned about the hospital cleaners' union and are looking for more information, read our primer on @saysdotcom here: says.com/my/imho/our-ho…
Hosp cleaners are facing RM1k-fine +/or 6 mths jail for picketing for labour rights. Join us for a session to write messages of solidarity for the workers and to call on the AG to drop all charges. ❤️
1/ WHAT DOES TORTURE IN MALAYSIA LOOK LIKE?
*CW: graphic descriptions of violence & torture
Many people might not initially associate torture with the Malaysian state. Yet, scratch underneath the surface, and you’ll find that torture is widespread. #DontLookAway #EndTortureNow
Former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Abdul Malek Hussin described his experience being tortured, including beating until he fell unconscious and sexual abuse. Malek’s testimony is consistent with the experience of many other former ISA detainees.
Newer laws have replaced the ISA, but allegations of torture remain. Recently, a group of 21 men alleged they were beaten with pipes, sticks and chairs while handcuffed. Their genitals were sprayed with chilli oil.
In 2018, Indonesian domestic worker Adelina Lisao died from multiple organ failure shortly after rescue from her employer's home in Penang.
3 days ago, the Court of Appeal upheld a High Court decision to acquit her employer Ambika MA Shan
2/ Adelina Lisao was from Kupang, in East Nusa Tenggara – the third poorest province in Indonesia. In 2015, she was employed by Ambika MA Shan in 2015 and worked for Ambika and her family in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
3/ According to a report by the Jakarta Post, Adelina’s family claimed that she had not been paid her salary since beginning her employment. thejakartapost.com/news/2018/02/1…
One of the demands of the union was to ask for an annual salary increment. Their salary is minimum wage (previously RM1100, now RM1200), and stays the same throughout their career, regardless of working experience.
(Send a letter even if you participated in the previous action.)
In the previous court appearance on 28 August, it was decided that the AG will make a decision on September 18 about whether to drop charges or to continue pursuing charges.
1/ "KALAU KITA SENYAP, KITA TAK AKAN DAPAT HAK KITA."
Sebagai pekerja kontrak, pekerja pembersihan sering dibayar gaji minimum (RM1,200), dan tidak menerima kenaikan gaji tahunan atau apa-apa faedah lain termasuk kontrak tetap, cuti umum berbayar 15 hari cuti tahunan dan bonus.
2/ Satu pekerja yang kami bertemu telah berkerja selama 20 tahun sebagai pekerja pembersihan. Gaji dia hanya RM1200 sebulan. Manfaatnya semakin kurang setiap tahun – contohnya, manfaat kesihatan telah dikurangkan dari RM1,200 ke RM200.
3/ “Selepas potongan pencen dan keselamatan sosial pembersih hanya dapat membawa pulang lebih kurang RM1,000 (US$233) – di sebuah negara di mana anggaran gaji kehidupan wajarnya adalah sebanyak RM2,700 (US$633) sebulan untuk seorang.”
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."