“There were some initial setbacks during the start of the negotiations, but we are glad that there
was real cooperation between the parties to settle the issue outside of court. The involved
workers worked extremely hard and deserve every cent owed to them. It is good to see an
agreement that favours them,” STIEU General Secretary Engrit Liaw said.
The union said that Focus Lumber, citing business slowdown as a result of COVID-19, cut the
salaries of its workers by half. STIEU said that it was done without prior negotiations with the
workers and thereby illegal as stated in Section 113 of the Sabah Labour Ordinance Act.
Focus Lumber is a manufacturer and seller of plywood, veneer and laminated veneer lumber.