Although official statistics indicate that the number of workplace injuries have decreased over the past years, Malaysian Trades Union Congress representatives claim that the number of permanent disabilities suffered by workers continues to escalate.

Electrical Industries Workers Union Industrial Relations officer N Balakrishnan ( photo ) said since 2002 there have been 7,224 cases of permanent disabilities suffered by workers in the country with the national Social Security Organisation (Socso) paying out over RM750 million in claims.

Records for the past five years indicate that Socso has paid out a total of nearly RM 3billion in compensation to injured and permanently disabled workers.

"Can we then still say that our workplaces are safe?" asked Balakrishnan during his speech at the Workers' Memorial Day event in Prai, Penang, organised by Malaysian Trade Unions Congress (MTUC).

"Since 2002, there have been 73,858 cases of workplace injuries reported to Socso. And this figure does not include injuries suffered by foreign workers who come under the Workmen's Compensation Act," he told the 100-odd people who turned up for the annual event.

Lowest

rate

Balakrishnan's statement contradicts Human Resources Minister Fong Chan Onn who expressed optimism on the current safety levels of workplaces in the country.

Launching an occupational safety and health seminar in Bangi earlier this month, Fong had said that there was an increased awareness on the implementation of safety measures and legal compliance with various occupational safety enactments.

Statistics from Socso, he added, indicated that the number of workplace accidents reported last year decreased by 13 percent to 73,858 cases compared to 2002. "Last year also saw the lowest rate of 7.4 accidents per 1,000 workers," he said.

MTUC has celebrated Workers' Memorial Day in Prai every year on April 28 since 1994 in memory of the 33 workers who died while building the Penang Bridge. The world's first Workers' Memorial Day was first observed in 1989 in America.

Trade unionists around the world now mark April 28 as an international day of remembrance for workers who have been killed or injured on the job.

Unite call

In a related issue, Dr Toh Kin Woon, Penang state executive councilor in charge of education, economic planning and human resources development, urged workers to be united for their own good.

"During negotiations, the government will ask how many people do you represent? If you represent less than 10 percent, this is not significant at all," said Toh, who was present at the memorial.

"Workers must unite in order to be stronger and to have more say in the formulation of government policies," said Toh, who is also Gerakan state assemblyman for Machang Bubok.

SUSAN LOONE is malaysiakini's

Penang-based contributor.