Citizens' groups want return of fuel subsidy

by Claudia Theophilus     Published 10 Mar 2006    Source : Malaysiakini

Re-instate the pre-Feb 28 fuel subsidy. This is what a group of 16 organisations led by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) wants the government to do immediately.

The call emerged after a meeting, believed to be the first of its kind, between more than 20 representatives of residents associations, rights activist groups, opposition political parties and the trade union umbrella body today.

Last week, the MTUC slammed the government's cavalier attitude in attempting to explain the reduction in fuel subsidy, contending that the move will cause untold hardship to workers particularly fixed wage earners.

MTUC to gauge workers support on Labour Day

by  Claudia Theophilus     Published 18 Apr 2005    Source ：Malaysiakini

This year's Labour Day event organised by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) will, for the first time, be celebrated outdoors and at night, said its president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud.

The big event, riding on the theme 'Globalisation Eroding Workers' Rights', will take place at Dataran Merdeka, at 9pm on April 30. It will feature a performance by a North Port (Klang) band.

Among the reasons for holding this outdoors is to create public awareness of the plight and rights of workers, and to gauge support for MTUC, the umbrella body for more than 230 private sector trade unions in the major industries.

NGOs unite to stop water privatisation move

by Nurul Nazirin     Published 17 Jan 2005    Source : Malaysiakini

A coalition of seven non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that is lobbying against privatisation of water supply, today submitted a memorandum to Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang at the Parliament lobby.

Led by Malaysian Trades Union Congress president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud, the group timed its action to take advantage of the special three-day Parliamentary sitting from today.

Among other matters, it will debate constitutional amendments to transfer power from state governments to the federal government to take over the supply and management of water to consumers. It is widely known that this will be done through privatisation.