MIRI: Kuching registers the highest number of cases linked to unemployment and other workforce-related issues among the divisions in Sarawak throughout all the movement control order (MCO) phases, implemented to prevent further spread of Covid-19 infection.
As at June 9 under the current Recovery MCO, statistics showed that Kuching recorded 6,308 cases, followed by Miri with 426 cases, Bintulu with 351 cases, and Sibu with 192 cases.
According to Labour Department Sarawak, there are 8,151 reports of unemployment and workforce-related issues received during the MCO phases, with the services sector seen as being hit the hardest.
“Operations under the services sector include auto-workshops, restaurants, consultation firms, hotels and hair-salons.
“Tourism, which is also a part of the services sector, is also severely hit, resulting in cases of staff layoffs, paycuts and unpaid leaves,” said a department spokesman yesterday when asked about key workforce data associated with the MCOs.
The spokesman also said due to the difficulties arising from the prolonged closure of business, some 150 employers had reportedly planned to lay off their workers – an exercise that would run until the end of December this year.
Apart from services, other sectors that had been adversely affected by the pandemic included manufacturing (non-essential products), retail (non-essential category), construction, and transportation (via land, water and air).
On the breakdown of the 8,151 reports received by Labour Department Sarawak, the spokesman said 2,305 were cases related to salaries, allowances and incentives; 1,084 cases were about complaints over unpaid leave and quarantine leave; 1,118 cases were about the shutdown of premises and permanent layoffs; 570 cases were related to essential/non-essential issues; and 3,074 cases were about labour complaints, as well as issues related to Social Security Organisation (Socso), Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and standard operating procedures (SOP) for business operations.
The spokesman also said for employers with retrenchment plans, the department would provide them with various options such as reductions in salaries or allowances, and voluntary separation scheme (VSS) before making the final decision on staff layoffs.
When contacted by The Borneo Post recently, Assistant Minister for Local Government and Housing Dr Annuar Rapaee had spoken about his concern for the daily-wage workers.
He said during the first MCO period, he had received lots of calls from his constituents of Nangka, particularly the daily-wage earners, asking for food rations.
“For the daily-paid workers, the days throughout the MCO period are equivalent to no-working days – they receive no wage at all.
“Thus, it is very important to highlight their plight, their welfare in that they are entitled to EPF, Socso and other benefits such as paid sick leave and also unpaid leave,” he said.
Dr Annuar also believed that the pandemic was not merely about the issue of health; it had also unveiled other weaknesses in the system, such as those relating to socio-economy.