PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) and the Congress of Unions of Employees in Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) will each receive RM1 million allocation to boost their management system.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced this during the Labour Day celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here, today.
Anwar described the allocation as a start to assist both organisations.
"This is to honour and recognise both unions and I want to ensure that the management of these organisations are organised and efficient," he said.
Also present at the celebration were deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Human Resource minister V. Sivakumar.
Anwar also asked civil servants to give time to the Malaysia Madani government to improve and get rid of corruption as well as financial wastages and leakages.
He also assured civil servants that when the government's revenue rises, a review of their salaries would be priority.
"I know the salaries of civil servants in the lower and middle ranks are unsatisfactory. It is time for it to be reviewed. I know the plight of workers very well, this is my turf and I understand their suffering."
"Give me a year. If the nation's revenue goes up, the salaries of civil servants will be on top of the list. Whatever bonuses and medical and education benefits, we will give as soon as we have allocation.
"I give you my assurance. Do not worry about that," he said.
Anwar said he received well and had no problems with some of the demands by the MTUC and Cuepacs.
At the same time, Anwar wanted members of the Malaysian Employers Federation to strike a balance between gaining profit and caring for the welfare of workers.
Without a comfortable working environment, Anwar said it was impossible for productivity to be enhanced.
"If an investor or an employer stresses too much on making profits but pushes aside the interest of workers, there would be no harmony. This must be balanced.
"We sometimes see this in companies that reap billions of ringgit and their productivity is up, but no increment in salaries.
"We want investments, we want employers to reap profits but we also want the welfare of workers to be well taken care of," added Anwar.