Haze: Give unrecorded leave to workers

SHAH ALAM - The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) urged employers in the private sector to consider giving unrecorded leave to their employees affected by the haze that air quality recovered.

Deputy Secretary-General of the MTUC, A. Balasubramaniam said, this is a way to reduce the difficulties faced by workers due to the worsening haze.

"Employers in the private sector should be lenient to give unrecorded leave for their employees if the haze worsened.

"Employers should also provide face masks for those workers affected by the haze and make sure they are not involved in any outdoor activities," he told Bernama.

Balasubramaniam said that, although most private sector workers at the mercy of their employers to get unrecorded leave, it is the social responsibility of employers to protect their workers' welfare and provide the necessary assistance, including unrecorded leave during the haze.

"We hope that employers will not take drastic action against an employee who can not come to work during this critical period," he said.

In other issues, Balasubramaniam called on the government to educate the public about the impact of illegal open burning as it will affect the health of workers if it is not monitored.