1.
LS GENERAL POST OFFICE IN KUALA LUMPUR
8 ft

2.
MS PEOPLE QUEUEING UP AT OFFICE ENTRANCE
17 ft

3.
CU HAND HOLDING LETTERS
18 1/2 ft

4.
MS POSTAL CLERK SELLING STAMPS
22 1/2 ft

5.
MS MESSENGER COLLECTING LETTERS FROM DELIVERY COUNTER
28 1/2 ft

6.
MS ACCUMULATED PARCELS ON FLOOR
30 ft

7.
MS (PAN) PEOPLE QUEUEING AT COUNTER
37 ft



Initials CAR/VS/MK/CA/RBI



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE MALAYSIAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT'S REJECTION OF INCREASED PAY AND ALLOWANCES AWARDED BY THE ARBITRATION COURT TO 1,400 POSTAL CLERKS IN MALAYA LAST NOVEMBER, HAS RESULTED IN A GO-SLOW IN POST OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

FOUR HOURS BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT'S REJECTION WAS ANNOUNCED, THE 250 CLERKS AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN KUALA LUMPUR LAUNCHED A WORK-TO-RULE CAMPAIGN OVER THE GOVERNMENT'S TARDINESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE COURT'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE OFFICE IS ACCUMULATED WITH PARCELS, LETTERS AND REGISTERED ARTICLES. AS THE QUEUES OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE OFFICE WERE GETTING LONGER AND LONGER, POLICE WERE CALLED IN TO CONTROL THE CROWD.

THE AWARD, GIVING THE WORKERS AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 27 PER CENT IN OVERALL PAY, WOULD HAVE COST MALAYSIAN TAXPAYERS 1.5 MILLION MALAYSIAN DOLLARS (ABOUT 180,000 POUNDS STERLING).

MEANWHILE, THE CONGRESS OF UNIONS OF EMPLOYEES IN THE PUBLIC AND CIVIL SERVICES LAST NIGHT (FRIDAY) DECIDED TO ASK ITS 63 AFFILIATED UNIONS TO THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN RETALIATION AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT'S REJECTION.