Wesports Malaysia Sdn Bhd: An Exemplary Corporate Citizen

I welcome the recent announcement by Wesports Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s to increase benefits and incentives for its workers. It involves five new initiatives designed to increase workers take-home pay and other efforts to lessen the burden of inflation.

Furthermore the firm encourages its workers to switch their cars from petrol to gas by offering loans with minimal interest.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop yesterday indicated that
inflation may reach 7% in June and July due to the impact of the fuel price hike.

The burden of inflation falls largely on the most vulnerable communities in the country, namely workers, single mothers and the poor. Besides the increase in the cost of living, workers will be confronted with retrenchment and companies forcing workers to accept lower wages.

The private sector as a critical stakeholder in the country needs to make every effort to lessen the burden of inflation on workers and vulnerable communities.

I urge businesses – local and foreign including government linked companies – to follow Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd exemplary corporate social responsibility towards its workers, their families and the nation.

At the heart of corporate social responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of its workers, their families including society at large. Thus corporate social responsibility is about business giving back to society, especially its critical stakeholders.

Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd social responsible policies are consistent with the various calls by the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Also, I urge the Ministry of Human Resources to work together with the business community to promote the highest standards of corporate social responsibility and ensure that every effort is made to protect wages and jobs in these hard times.

Charles Santiago

MP Klang