Employers in NS told not to stop Muslim workers from Friday prayers

SEREMBAN, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Employers in Negeri Sembilan are reminded not to prevent their Muslim workers from performing Friday prayers.

Chairman of the State Human Resource, Plantation and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee J. Arul Kumar said preventing Muslim workers from performing the Friday prayers clearly denied the workers of their rights.

"Give the workers flexibility and a time table to go for Friday prayers. The employers can arrange a time table to enable the Muslim workers to perform Friday prayers and to return to work after the prayers,” he told a media conference here today.

Also present was the Director of the Negeri Sembilan Manpower Department (JTKNS), S. Tharu Marajan.

On the issue of employers deducting the pay of workers from Bangladesh for performing Friday prayers which was viralled in the Facebook last Monday, he said the JTKNS had investigated the company concerned last Tuesday and had interviewed three Bangladeshi workers mentioned in the posting.

"An investigation revealed that the foreign workers were given three hours rest for prayers on Friday and no salary deduction or reduction was made for the rest period. Normal working hours for Friday had been moved to 6.30 pm to replace the two hours additional rest period given to them to pray. In this context, there is no issue whatsoever and the employers are complying with Section 60A of the Employment Act 1955, it is just a misinterpretation,” he said.

-- BERNAMA