Cuepacs, MTUC laud Socso's decision

The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) lauded the decision of the government to extend benefits of the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to 63,000 of its contract and temporary workers, from May 1.

Its president Datuk Omar Osman said, the decision was an assurance to the contract and temporary workers in terms of security which they did not enjoy previously. "This is an important decision which is very valuable. It gives assurance and a better future to contract and temporary workers who have long served the government," he told Bernama, here, today.

According to Omar, the facility was also a catalyst to spur them to work more diligently and boost their productivity.

He said the employers played an important role in ensuring the benefits were enjoyed by all and the parties involved were not left out.

Omar's views were shared by Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) president Mohd Khalid Atan who said, the benefits was long awaited since the contract and temporary workers had served the government for a long time without such benefits.

In the meantime, Omar and Mohd Khalid also shared a suggestion that the government absorbed contract and temporary workers into its service compared to giving opportunities for new recruits.

"The Public Services Commission has announced that government would offer 60,000 job opportunities this year. I feel it is better if contract and temporary staff are absorbed because they know their duties," Omar said.

Mohd Khalid said this was to give a career stability to them, because all these while they always felt unsafe, wondering if their contracts would be renewed at the end of the year.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam today announced that 63,000 contract and temporary workers would also enjoy numerous benefits under the Socso scheme, from May 1.

Subramaniam said the government made the decision to ensure the welfare of the workers and their families was secured under the Employment Injury Insurance Scheme and Invalidity Pension like workers in the private sector.