KUCHING: Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) Sarawak chairman Mohammad Ibrahim Hamid has raised concerns for segments of the workforce who may not be directly covered by the Sarawakku Sayang Special Aid Package.
“The needs of those who are self-employed and those who rely on contractual work have to be looked into during this crucial period,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
He pointed out that employees who were daily paid and unable to work due to the movement control order (MCO) would struggle financially.
“Though there is a six-month moratorium on bank loan repayments, such employees would still have to pay rent and so on,” he explained.
He said that due to non-essential businesses having to close during the MCO period, such businesses were unable to generate income to pay for these expenses, which included water and electricity bills as well as salaries.
Mohammad urged the government to look into this matter and identify these groups to ensure that these segments of the working population would be able to effectively cope with the MCO.
He also urged for the public to abide by the government’s decision to extend the MCO until April 14 – an additional two weeks after the initial order ends on March 31.
The Sarawakku Sayang Special Aid Package worth RM1.15 billion and comprising 16 measures was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Monday (March 23) to alleviate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the MCO would be extended by another two weeks until April 14.
