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KPI: Keep People In
  Shafie addressing the conference  Pav delivering his opening remarks  Delegates discussing issues  Union Executive CIMB President Mohd Zubir Balber with Priyalal |
“Employers should seek to motivate and develop workers with training to enhance their skills before moving to dismal. Laying off workers will only disrupt the wider economy,” was the call from banking employees who participated in the first National Conference of Professional and Management Staff (P&Ms) in Malaysia. The increasing use of key performance indicators (KPIs) was also debated. It was noted that KPIs could be a help[ful tool to measure increased output and productivity within enterprises. Unrealistic KPIs were condemned for its negative side effects, including depression and excessive pressure. This was especially the case KPI targets are set without effective consultation of the employees and their trade unions. The conference participants called upon employers to consult with trade unions to set KPIs that were realistic and sustainable. “Fear of being laid off puts workers under much pressure, especially those who have children and families to feed,” said UNI Malaysian Liason Council (MLC) President Mohamed Shafie Mammal at the three-day event which was jointly organised by UNI MLC and Malaysian CIMB Union Executive at the Sarawak Bank Employees Union Retreat in Lundu, Sarawak, from 25-27 March 2012. "Good KPIs can ensure sustainability but must avoid damaging our social fabric. Top management who set KPIs must not only be concered about achieving short-term profit targets; they should use a holistic approach that takes into account the impact on the employees," added Shafie, before concluding that employers should seek to motivate and develop workers with further training to enhance their skills. Laying off workers will only disrupt the wider economy." UNI Global Union's new P&M Director, Pav Akhtar, expressed concerned at the economic slowdown which could lead to a worsening crisis in employment, exacerbating inequalities and social discontent, and further delaying economic and social recovery. Aktar stressed that the vicious cycle could be broken by making markets work for jobs. He also highlighted the trend towards an increasing large percentage of the new workforce being employed in P&M roles, further highlighting the need for trade unions to focus on the P&M workers and their integration into unions. Focusing on the need to plan for the future, UNI Apro's Director of Finance, Professional & Managerial Sector, Jayasri Priyalal, pointed to the danger of setting myopic KPIs. “KPIs should not solely be profit-oriented but also to sustain growth and competitiveness. Short-term targets are dangerous and often put pressure on workers over job security. KPIs must encourage workers to take initiative in upgrading skills that will yield higher productivity in the long run,” Priyalal explained. Unions play a crucial role in protecting workers’ professional integrity by supporting best standards and ethical practices in businesses. The collective voice and solidarity support from trade unions is strength for P&Ms to practice ethics and make independent judgments for sustainability of businesses. Guest speakers from academia, employers federations, and employees unions attended the conference. Speakers from the Malaysian Productivity Corporation, Malaysian Employers Federation and Universiti Malaysia Sabah presented their evidence on KPIs and productivity linked wage systems. The conference is the first of its kind to address issues that P&M workers face within Malaysia and was attended by more than 60 participants representing 12 unions affiliated to UNI MLC Malaysia. For media coverage, please refer to the following links: |
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