The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) called on its members to attend the May 12 picket against the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) instead of a government-organised gathering for workers to be held on the same day.

The Human Resources Ministry is planning a gathering with the theme 'Workers: The Catalyst for National Development' at the Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex.

"We are telling our members to attend the May 12 picket against the EPF and not the one organised by the government," MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran told malaysiakini today.

"How can our members go to that gathering when they have to attend our picket?"

MTUC is planning a nationwide picket in front of EPF offices all over country including Sabah and Sarawak.

The picket, announced on April 7 by MTUC president Zainal Rampak, is to protest among others against the government's move to reduce workers' contribution to the EPF from 11 percent to nine percent.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had initially declared that the reduction was compulsory, said that contributors can opt out by filling up a special form available at EPF offices ([#1] Worker's EPF reductions compulsory [/#], March 29).

The aim of the reduction is to boost domestic spending and shore up the economy.

According to Rajasekaran, it was a coincidence that the two workers' events happen to fall on the same day.

"There is no attempt by either party to hijack the events. They (Human Resources Ministry) did not know the date for our picket and we did not know the date for their assembly," Rajasekaran added.

Call off picket

Human Resources Minister Fong Chan Onn earlier today reiterated his appeal to MTUC to cancel the controversial picket.

He said that the congress should be mindful of Malaysia's image and reputation, especially when Asean labour ministers are due to visit the country at around the same time of the proposed anti-EPF picket.

"The Human Resources Ministry always keeps in close touch with MTUC and union organisations and I hope they will reciprocate the goodwill so that together we can project the country in the proper manner," he told reporters after opening an exhibition centre at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Fong added that the cooperation of the unions was needed in order to avoid the negative impact created by the slowdown of the US economy.

"We need to induce greater confidence to attract foreign investment and ensure that our economy does not suffer negatively from the US economic slowdown.

"If they (MTUC) can cooperate with us, then there will be more jobs for workers and higher pay for all workers because there will be a greater flow of investments," he added.

Fong also advised MTUC to meet with EPF officers to discuss their disagreements.

"Any misunderstanding can be resolved through discussion and we can avoid the picketing," he said.

Fong as mediator

When asked to comment on the latest spat between the MTUC and the civil servants union (Cuepacs), Fong said that he would try to be a mediator to the feud.

"I would call both sides to see me in the next few days," Fong said.

The Sun reported on Monday that Rajasekaran lambasted Cuepacs president N Siva Subramaniam for allegedly saying at a meeting that opposition parties had pumped in RM100 million to MTUC.

The meeting, which was sponsored by the Human Resources Ministry, was held to persuade MTUC to call off its picket and was attended by Siva, Zainal, his deputy Mohamad Shafie Mammal, HR Ministry secretary-general Syed Muhammad Syed Abdul Kadir and Industrial Relations Department director general Ismail Abdul Rahim.

However, Siva was reported to have denied making the accusation.