The call by the National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services was in response to a statement by Perak health executive councillor A Sivanesan that the hospital had nothing to do with a labour dispute involving a contract cleaner and cleaning contractor UEMS Edgenta.

UEMS Edgenta has a cleaning contract with the hospital.

The cleaner had claimed recently that she was assaulted by her supervisor on hospital grounds. In solidarity with the worker, the union and Parti Sosialis Malaysia held a picket at the hospital entrance on May 18.

Union chairman Roziah Hashim and executive secretary M Sarasvathy said the safety, welfare and dignity of workers were a collective responsibility of the hospital, as owner of the premises, and UEMS Edgenta as the direct employer.

Any incident on hospital grounds involving cleaners should be seen as a collective responsibility that encompasses workplace safety, operational monitoring, and protection for female workers against any form of intimidation or harassment, the union leaders said.

“This issue is not just a labour dispute, but (one that) involves dignity, safety and rights of female workers to work in an environment that is safe, guaranteed, and free from any form of intimidation and harassment,” they said.

The union dismissed claims that the picket was unlawful. It said the workers’ right to demonstrate peacefully for their safety and welfare was protected by law.

It called for Sivanesan to furnish proof that it abused union dues to fund pickets, unlawful purposes, and to push “political interests”, saying such accusations were baseless and defamatory.

Sivanesan, in responding to the union’s statement, told FMT he has no issue if the union wants to take legal action against him.