The prospect of sharing a crowded bedroom with a fifth person has irked workers of Resorts World Bhd with their union protesting the move strongly.

Resorts World Employees Union President Robert Vijendran Henry said in a statement last week that the move by the highland resort management was 'harsh' and 'inhumane'.

"In relation to a memo received from the company's human resources department, members of the Resorts World Employees Union are disappointed and worried over the move to add a bedspace in each room," said Henry.

In a memo dated Aug 12, the Resort World's human resources department had informed staff of the company's plan to 'insert one additional bed, writing table, chair and locker' in their living quarters to accommodate year-end staff intake.

Residents of the ninth, tenth and eleventh floor at the resort's staff complex, were instructed to rearrange their personal belongings to cater for the management's decision which would be followed by an inspection.

The memo was issued by a human resources executive at the department with copies to the department's vice-president and manager. Resorts World owns and operates several hotels - including the country's only casino - at the popular highland resort in Pahang.

Union busting move?

The company directive for the staff bedrooms has not gone down well with the union which claims they have previously highlighted the fact that the rooms were not large enough for the current boarding of four workers each.

"To those who have received this insensitive and inconsiderate memo, you are encouraged to contact the union as we are now in the process of tendering an objection and protest to this harsh and inhumane move," said Henry.

Henry claims that the move is a twin-headed bid to bust up the union as well as to make space for some 250 foreign workers from China.

"Our right to work and benefits are eroding right before our eyes. Members have been urged to join in their resistence against the threat of foreign labour and be firm in their bid to protect and cement their rights," he added.

The union has also urged the workers to inform friends and family members of the availability of 400 job openings at the resort.

"In an attempt to avoid addressing our previous complaints on other matters, the company has hired these foreign workers as a start to even more intakes. They claim they are not able to hire any local manpower," he said.

Deadlocked talks

The union beginning Feb 13 had staged a three-day picket at Genting Highlands to protest a deadlock over their collective agreement (CA) negotiations involving a 20 percent salary increase for them.

Their request for an increment was also dismissed. During the picket, union members also demanded for the company to designate the casino a smoke-free zone after an employee who never smoked cigarettes was diagnosed with lung cancer.