By Zaki Salleh
IPOH – The state government is targeting 25 percent of private sector workers to establish trade unions within five years to ensure workers’ rights.
This is because it is the right of every worker to work in a safe environment, in line with international conventions to protect workers’ rights.
The Chairman of the Perak State Human Resources, Health, A. Sivanesan, said that the state government is ready to assist workers who do not receive support from employers in forming trade unions.
“My office will always assist if the workers require recognition or legal assistance in case there are employers who want to challenge them in court.
“So, I hope employers in Perak will cooperate and allow workers to form unions. The establishment of trade unions is beneficial for both parties,” he explained.
He said this to reporters after officiating the State-level 2023 World Day for Safety and Health at Work Celebration in Perak Darul Ridzuan Building’s Multipurpose Hall.
The celebration involves cooperation between the state government, the Perak Department of Occupational Safety and Health, and the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.
There was also a sharing session by the Social Security Organization (PERKESO) regarding the experiences of workplace accident victims.
Information was also shared about the benefits obtained, as well as an explanation by a psychiatric expert from the Ulu Kinta Happiness Hospital about methods of recognizing signs of mental health and stress in the workplace and how to handle them.
Participants were also exposed to presentations from the Perak State Fire and Rescue Department regarding procedures and methods for dealing with emergencies.
