Women's Tribunal Malaysia: Speaking up for workers

Because they are hired under contracts and each contract sees them as "new workers" some cleaners still earn minimum wage even though they have been performing the same job, for the same hospital for decades. Photo:Unsplash/Oliver Hale

Workers’ rights activist Sarasvathy Muthu spoke on the plight of workers, particularly government hospital cleaners and support staff, at the Women’s Tribunal that was held online last weekend.

Sarasvathy’s testimony was powerful and exposed what many didn’t realise: Although their services are integral to the running of a hospital – clean hospitals, especially during the pandemic are critical – most hospital cleaners earn minimum wage salaries even though some have been working for decades. And, they have none of the perks that most workers take for granted: annual leave, increments, bonuses or even basic medical benefits.