Retrenched Penan workers in Bakun unsatisfied with compensation reach amicable solution with employer

MIRI (Sept 7): A total of 124 Penan workers who had been terminated from their employment recently received a compensation of RM597,978, including those who had served less than a year and those more than five years.

According to deputy director of Bakun Labour Office Edwin Eddy, his office had received a notice from the employer prior to the termination and his officers were deployed to monitor and investigate the termination cases.

“During the investigation, our officers went to the hiring site and met with the workers involved.

“The investigation was also due to dissatisfaction among the retrenched workers on the amount of the compensation paid, especially those who had been employed for a short period of time.

“Hence, our officers’ presence was to help the discussion between the employer and retrenched workers,” he revealed in a statement.

He explained that in accordance with the requirements of Section 60 of the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Cap 76), the employer is required to report to the Labour office at least 30 days before the workers’ termination was issued.

“The estimated payments made must also comply with the eligibility outlined in the Sarawak (Interim Termination Compensation for Workers) Benefits Act 2008.

“The discussion between employer and the workers was conducted peacefully in the presence of our officer, Neil Vanili,” he said, adding that with the agreed amount of the compensation, the case was resolved.

Edwin also urged any employee facing any dispute regarding any payment to submit individual or group claims to the Bakun Labour Office for labour case claims.