More than 100 school cleaners seek Sabak Bernam PPD's help to resolve salary arrears

SABAK BERNAM: More than 100 cleaning workers from 19 schools in the Sabak Bernam district have sought the assistance of the Sabak Bernam District Education Office (PPD) to help resolve their salary which they have not received since November last year.

The cleaners have submitted a letter of demand to the Sabak Bernama PPD seeking the later to take necessary action against their employers, As Rezeki Resources and Panggilan Efektik Enterprises, for failing to pay their salary since the past three months.

A spokesperson at the Sabak Bernam PPD confirmed receiving the letter and that the office would look into the matter.

Also present when the letter was handed over to the the PPD was the Coordinator of the Government Contract Workers Network (JPKK), S. Koyilvani, who said that the workers had been forced to borrow and do other work to cover their cost of living.

According to the Employment Act 1955, the employee should receive the salary before the 7th of every month, but they have been working for three months with no salary paid.

"We want for the two cleaning companies to be blacklisted after they have settled the salary payment to the workers concerned," he said when met by the media at the PPD compound.

Meanwhile, a cleaning worker who wanted to be known as Pak Din, 56, said that he had not been paid salary for three months and had to take up odd-jobs to make ends meet.

"I had to find other initiatives to cover my daily expenses, the motor road tax is also two months due, and there are bills to be paid," he added.

Another cleaner, who requested to be identified as Kak Fizah, 42, hoped that the PPD would help to resolve the problem.

"Luckily, there are teachers and school staff who help. But, until when do I have to expect mercy from others?," said the single mother with four children.

-- BERNAMA