(PORT KLANG) The Union of Port Ancillary Supply Services (Unepass) yesterday called on the Port Klang Authority (PKA) to standardise the lashing and unlashing rates to avoid undercutting by contractors.
The move will also help to reduce the employment of cheap foreign labour by port contractors, said its executive secretary, A Balasubramaniam.
He said that at present, the rates varied from contractor to contractor and there was unhealthy competition affecting the livelihood of local workers.
‘Some contractors were able to provide ridiculously low rates because they employed foreign workers who were willing to work for very low wages,’ said Mr Balasubramaniam.
‘This, in turn, not only decreased the wages of local workers but also their job prospects.’
The call to standardise rates was among the union’s proposals in a memorandum submitted to the PKA yesterday.
Mr Balasubramaniam, who is also MTUC vice-president, said that the union also proposed that the PKA strictly control the licensing of part-time contractors as they posed a threat to genuine contractor companies which employed a large number of local workers.
The union also wanted PKA to appoint a workers’ representative on the board to safeguard their interest.
Other proposals were ensuring proper safety precautions for workers, tighter security in the port area, and strict implementation of rules and regulations already in use.
Source: Bernama (24th August 2010)
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