GE15 | The Human Resources Ministry should quickly gazette the declaration of Nov 18 and 19 as public holidays so companies cannot deny workers their right to vote, urged the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).

Its secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor pointed out that any further delay in gazetting the holiday would result in problems for companies to enforce the holidays as they could disrupt their operations.

"There are companies trying to postpone the holiday on polling day (Nov 19), by giving a replacement day on another day.

"MTUC condemns such conduct and deems it unpatriotic. The government should take strict action against the management of such companies, including cancelling their operating licence," he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that Nov 18 (Friday) and 19 (Saturday) would be public holidays to enable voters to cast their ballots for the 15th general election.

However, a check by Malaysiakini found, as of 10am today, the holidays have yet to be gazetted.

Kamarul Baharin noted that the country's 16 million-strong workforce is the determining force of which political party/coalition forms the government after GE15.

"Thus, political parties should prioritise workers and promise that their welfare will be taken care of,” he added.

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