Exploited workers want to know their rights

When Aliran put up an article on workers’ rights on its website, little did it expect a string of queries on some of the common problems that workers across the country face.

These queries reflect the lack of education they receive on their rights as employees. They also indicates the low level of unionisation among Malaysian workers (only a small minority are trade union members) and our relatively weak labour and union protection laws.

So if you readers have the answers and could share with us, I am sure many workers in similar difficult situations would be grateful. Or if you have an exploitative situation or a violation of workers’ rights at your own workplace, why not share with us as well?

Noor Aini – Dr |60.48.76.xxx |2008-12-30 12:41:45

Can an employer make it a regulation that all employees must pay their income tax thru’ PCB and manage tax calculation for the employees automatically every mth?

Isnt it the right of the employee to choose how to make their tax payments, either by PCB or lump sum payment or thru zakat?

Christyn – Work on Weekends |124.82.13.xxx |2009-01-06 05:20:41

Can employer forced us to attend training on weekends ? We married women have no babysitter to attend to our kids on weekends.

syna – protection for female worker |210.48.147.xxx |2009-02-15 16:41:10

i would like to got some knowledge abt the title above especialy in term of female worker in prohibition, exemption and maternity leave that the employer need to provides for their female..

jith – allowances |219.95.105.xxx |2009-03-02 06:36:35

haii..can you pls elobrate abt an employees’s right of getting allowances such as transport and housing allowances…and also abt increament for those working in private sector.. tq

Lim S S |202.188.170.xxx |2009-03-26 06:15:24

I would like to know if a employee who has VSS or retrench by company need to pay income tax?? i mean did the employee will pay the income tax for that money which got from VSS or retrenchment. Pls advice. Thks.

cks |60.48.49.xxx |2009-03-27 04:56:30

i would like to know if an employee of local worker wages are lower than the foriegner worker am i able to complain about it.. for example a local worker basic is 300 plus 2 service point, and a foriegner worker basic is 1000 plus 1 service point. if the service point is 400 which mean the local worker would get 1100 where else the foriegner worker would get 1300.am i able to complain about it. please advice… thanks….

chong – Regarding the EPF |60.49.56.xxx |2009-04-07 17:11:13

Good evening, i want to know whether the company not SDN BHD or BHD is no need to pay the epf to staff?

Kamarulzaman – Working shift basis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |60.48.153.xxx |2009-04-21 16:05:39

hi, I am working in shift basis, 24 hour a day, 7 days a week in Network Operation Centre department. Interestingly, i have to work in public holiday such as Hari Raya eid-aladha without any payment. Our Management said it stated in labour law. What do you think about my case? do you have any suggestion? Please help me..

Christopher – Overtime payment |60.52.114.xxx |2009-05-11 16:55:49

I would like who r the person eligle for overtime payment. The reason i askin is because my employer’s told me that if a person’s salary above 1,500 r not eligle for overtime. Therefore they asking us to do overtime all the time. My work finishes at 5.30 but always go back at 9pm. please tell me wat to do.

shireen |115.132.211.xxx |2009-05-29 12:34:30

I was wondering about annual leaves.My employer states that if an employee doesn’t complete 12mths working period.The person isn’t entitled to the 14days annual leave.If i have worked for 16mths does it mean i am not entitled for the 2nd year annual leave?

daisy – unpaid leave |203.153.84.xxx |2009-06-12 06:06:19

i just want to find out if a female worker would like to take a month off unpaid leave to go overseas coz the husband is overseas and would like to go and visit the husband, if the company do not approved the leave, is there any law to protect the worker? coz is unpaid and not paid.

sometimes we think back, we work for maybe 2k-3k a month is just like selling our freedom, will, mind, choice, our soul maybe sometimes even our family too.

do they have any rules to give at least the worker right to choose whether can actually the person take unpaid leave to sort family things? coz the company will definitly says cannot coz too long so much work not done. coz employer just wants advantage and do not want to loss anything..

do advice..

Chung T K – Save Our Soul |115.133.252.xxx |2009-07-07 18:58:26

Our employer has strike a deal with another company to take over the employment of us, but our number of years of service will be gone as the we have to start off as new recruit.

And if we doesn’t agree, it’s forseen pressure will be apply leading to cause of termation or resignation.

SOS! as to what to done as the company is going through a VSS, as in this way they can save on VSS payment.

jks – no increament. |60.50.40.xxx |2009-09-14 06:52:34
I work for a publishing company for 2 years and still at the same pay rm1500. I request for a review recently but did not get any response. I approach my boss directly he said he was busy.

What are my rights?

Juliet – Constructive Dismissal |203.82.91.xxx |2009-11-13 14:43:07

I seek the help of a lawyer whom after reading this to take legal action against my employer for two cases; one I was put into cold storage and now the employer is making my work difficult asking me to work with the factory workers at the production floor. My position was Confidential Secretary and then transferred to a subsidiary as Executive Assistant doing clerical work.

Visa – Medical Leave |60.48.169.xxx |2009-11-24 04:29:17

I have a staff who entitle for 18 days Medical leave, but all the leave was taken fully. What happen is he went to government clinic and get another 6 days medical leave. Since his medical leave is no more how we have treat this situation?