The Transport Workers Union (TWU) wants a national retirement scheme set up for the 11 million private sector workers.

Such a scheme, TWU secretary-general Zainal Rampak said, should have been emphasised in the national budget, as the well-being of workers was thus far, neglected.

The proposed scheme should be incorporated in the Employment Act 1955 and made mandatory for both workers and employers to contribute towards it, he said today.

Currently, only about 10 percent of workers who are covered through collective agreements enjoyed such benefits, noted Zainal, who was the former Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president.

Interest of workers

While welcoming Budget 2010, he said that TWU, nevertheless, regretted that the interest of workers was not given due cognizance.

"We can have the best of the budget, but if it was not properly implemented, it cannot achieve its objectives.

"It is the workers, both in private and public sectors, who could assist in achieving the desired result," he said.

Zainal added that it was essential for the government to give rightful recognition and incentives to workers to motivate them to give their best for the development of the nation. - Bernama