Give priority to retrenched workers, MTUC tells hotel operator

Give priority to retrenched workers, MTUC tells hotel operator

MTUC council member A Sivananthan says the Malaysian Industrial Harmony Code stipulates that retrenched workers must be prioritised when a company reopens for business.

A Sivananthan said the hotel which shut down in June 2020 has started advertising for workers and is set to reopen.
PETALING JAYA:
The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has urged the operator of a hotel in Kuala Lumpur to prioritise those who were retrenched in June 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in its current recruitment exercise.

MTUC general council member A Sivananthan said about 150 employees of Park Royal Hotel were retrenched in June 2020, three months after the start of the pandemic, with the management saying the hotel was to be closed for renovations.

“We felt the management capitalised on the Covid-19 situation to remove senior staff who were drawing bigger salaries. They are now going to reopen the hotel soon and I hope these workers will be re-employed.

“I am also acting for 109 employees who filed a claim against the management in the industrial court. The case is set to be heard tomorrow,” he told FMT.

Sivananthan said under Clause 23 of the Malaysian Industrial Harmony Code 1975, employers must give priority to retrenched workers when they reopen for business.

“The hotel is now known as ParkRoyal Collection and has advertised for workers in all departments. About 60 of those retrenched have been called for interviews. I hope they will be given priority in this intake,” he added.

FMT has reached out to ParkRoyal Collection management for comment.

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