Report: Hospital cleaners want recognition as frontliners

PETALING JAYA (Nov 19): The National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services wants the government to recognise hospital cleaners as frontliners in efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19, FMT News reported today.

Executive secretary Sarasvathy Muthu told the news portal that hospital cleaners “faced the threat of infection every day and she was surprised the government had not included them in its definition of frontliners”.

“Without them, all efforts to curb Covid-19 and flatten the curve will not succeed.

“Yes, doctors and nurses are very important. But cleaners are directly involved in cleaning, which is something the government always tells people to do,” said Sarasvathy.

She went on to say that those defined as frontliners had “benefited from economic stimulus packages” and “were also taken care of” with benefits provided by the government under Budget 2021.

Health ministry secretary-general Dr Chen Chaw Min recently announced that that the special Covid-19 allowance for frontliners was only meant for healthcare officers who were involved in Covid-19 duties, and not for healthcare personnel who were not involved in handling infected patients.

Sarasvathy insisted that other workers in hospitals “also played very important roles” to help curb the spread of Covid-19”.

“The government must look into giving allowances to cleaners.

“The union is very disappointed with the statement. The government must not shy away from its responsibility,” she added.

Sarasvathy also revealed tp FMT News that the workers’ RM1,200 monthly salary was “too meagre” and that many were living in “deplorable conditions”.

“They should not be facing this. They must be given basic living wages so they can live a decent life.”

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