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EXPOSURE PROGRAMME AND DEBRIEFING

The planning and organisation of the exposure programmes mere centred around this year's HRD theme "5CMs in solidarity with women's struggle for change". The exposure gave an opportunity for the participants to identify with the socio-cultural, economic and political dimensions of workers in the Urban-Industrial and Rural-Agricultural sectors in Malaysia, with special emphases placed on the women workers.

The participants were divided into five groups with each group having their own time schedule and designated areas of visitation. The exposure area covered regions within Kuala Lumpur and the outskirts of the city. One group even went as far as to Penang [approximately 373 km from Kuala Lumpur).

The exposure lasted for approximately three days. During this time certain groups had the experience of living with people in squatter areas and rubber plantations. The groups that stayed at the rubber estates were able to observe and participate in the daily activities of the rubber-tappers. The Penang team had dialogues with members of non-governmental organisations as well as with workers in the Free-Trade Zones.

The other teams also had opportunities to hold discussions with representatives of various organisations like trade unions, social welfare services and consumer associations, and Church Women organisations.

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An additional feature of the exposure programme was a slide presentation by Ms. Chin Wei Tze on the issue of violence against women.

The topics discussed during the presentation include wife-battering, rape, sexual harassment and prostitution. Special emphasis was placed on rape. The inadequacies and shortcomings of the Rape Lau in the protection of women and the possible causes of rape were discussed.

The final day of the exposure programme was set aside for individual group evaluation and reflection. A series of questions were formulated to facilitate the group discussions. The next day the groups gathered together to present their individual reports.

SCMs in solidarity with women workers!

Generally, it was observed that the living conditions in most of the areas visited were appalling. There were inadequate facilities and at most places the surrounding conditions were unhygienic and unhealthy for the growth of children. Hostels in Free-Trade Zones were usually overcrowded with about 10 or more people squeezed into relatively small rooms.

On the subject of work, it was found that women were usually engaged in menial and repetitive production work.

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Because of the nature of the work they are paid less than the male workers. There were even cases where the women who performed similar jobs as the men received significantly lower wages than their male counterparts. Women workers were also frequently overlooked in promotions and with little or no representation by unions their plight and grievances go unheard. Apart from these problems they have also to deal with sexual harassment in their workplace by their male colleagues.

The working conditions of the workers were equally appalling. The workers were subjected to high noise levels, poor ventilation, high dust content in the immediate vicinity and in chemical manufacturing plants the conditions were hazardous to the workers health. There was a particular case in a battery manufacturing factory where the workers were frequently exposed to chemical fumes. The workers were required to go for blood tests, the results of those tests however were withheld from them. Later the factory management introduced breakfast scheme for the workers where each morning they were fed fried noodles and protein-rich food like eggs. The workers were naturally pleased with the management for their apparently thoughtful and caring gesture. It was discovered later that the blood tests revealed cases of anaemia in a significant number of workers! The breakfast scheme was just a ploy on the part of the management to divert the attention of the health authorities as well as the workers themselves from the real issues.

On the socio-cultural scene, women were subjugated and oppressed by traditional values and western influence. They have few rights and are not involved in any decision-making. Women are also doubly burdened by household chores and their work outside the home. They get little or no assistance from the men in their domestic duties.

In Malaysia various organisations are involved in the struggle of women for their rights and position in society. They conduct leadership courses and formulate programmes dealing with self-development for the women. In addition to these, social and legal services are also provided.

There was a general feeling among all the participants that the situations presented were not only unique to Malaysia but they also existed in varying degrees in their own countries.