Dear friends and comrades,

We would like to express our appreciation to all of you who have contributed to the fund for Public Hospital Support Workers Union Malaysia.

To update you on the latest development, balloting was conducted for hospitals in the northern region (Perak, Penang, Kedah dan Perlis) among workers employed by the contractors for support services in government hospitals in these states. Despite of all kinds of threats and obstacles, cleaning workers employed by NS Medik (sub-contractor of cleaning services) manged to get more than 50% of votes supporting the union, hence the union is allowed to file for recognition and enter collective bargaining with the employer. This is an important step for the Public Hospital Support Workers Union to move forward.

Also on today, 4 December 2018, the Public Hospital Support Workers Union is awarded with SUARAM Human Rights Award, an annual award given out by SUARAM, the leading human rights organization in Malaysia, to recognize the contribution of groups or communities in enhancing human rights in Malaysia.

We once again thank to everyone who have supported the Public Hospital Support Workers Union.

In solidarity,

Choo Chon Kai
PSM

December 4, 2018

International Bureau
Socialist Party of Malaysia / Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)

Appeal for Contribution for the Public Hospital Support Wokers Unions

The Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) on behalf of the Public Hospital Support Workers Union, would like to appeal for fund contributions for their union activities.

In Malaysia, there are 148 government hospitals and almost 50, 000 support workers in government hospitals. Among the workers categorized as support workers are cleaners, clinical waste cleaners, technicians, laundry services, carpenters, welders and all support services.

These categories of workers face various problems such as very low wages without a yearly increase, the contractual system in which their employment contracts are temporary and renewed annually, workers have no work security, and these workers are losing the benefit of the service period when there is a change in contractor.

So to champion their rights as workers, these support workers are in the process of establishing their own trade union. The Public Hospital Support Workers Union has been registered but for the union to get recognition, the support of the majority of support workers in all government hospitals is needed.

Because these union members are from the low-income group, they face financial challenges to visit all the public hospitals in the country to meet the support workers and recruit them as members of the union. For the union members to do this work, they need financial resources, especially in this early stage. When the union is recognized with the membership of the majority, then the can generate monies for the union through membership fees to enable them to do the union work.

Therefore, we would like to appeal for financial contribution to assist the members of the Public Hospital Support Workers Union to travel to all hospitals in Malaysia to recruit union members which will lead to the recognition of the Public Hospital Support Workers Union.

Contribution can be made to the following bank account:

Name : Parti Sosialis Malaysia
Account Number: 512080337313
Bank: Maybank
Branch: Subang Perdana Subang, Selangor, Malaysia
Swift Code: MBBEMYKL

We really appreciate your contribution. Please email us the details of your contribution to jani6028 yahoo.com for our record keeping purpose.

Thank you.

In solidarity,
Choo Chon Kai
Central Committee Member
Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM)

September 25, 2018