PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has urged the government to gazette the public holidays on Nov 18 and Nov 19.
MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said this was to ensure that employers do not deny workers their right to vote in the general election.
In a statement today, Kamarul said any delay in gazetting the holidays would make it difficult for companies to implement the days off.
He also claimed some companies were trying to “postpone” the public holidays announced by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday, by offering their staff replacement holidays at a later date.
“The government must take strict action against these companies, including the cancellation of their business licences,” he said.
The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) also urged all bosses to recognise the public holidays.
MEF president Syed Hussain Syed Husman said employers in the Peninsula and Labuan may opt to substitute the GE15 holidays with other holidays appointed as public holidays in the year.
He said this was in line with Section 60D(1A) of the Employment Act, adding that employers do not have to obtain employees’ consent for the substitution.