MEMORANDUM TO THE YB DATO DR FONG CHAN ONN MENTERI SUMBER
MANUSIA REGARDING PROBLEMS FACED BY TRADE UNIONS WORKERS
In the wake of economic crisis MTUC and the Trade
Unions played a major role in containing the numerous problems and issues
resulting from company closures, merger of banks, loss of thousands of jobs,
wage cuts, unfair dismissals and even moratorium on collective agreements in a
number of companies. Many employers do not seem to appreciate these concession
and cooperation.
CONCILIATION
Whilst unions were urged to avoid all forms of
industrial action and utilize the conciliation machinery, the Government failed
to ensure that the process functioned smoothly and efficiently. As the result a
massive backlog, amounting to more than 5000 cases have build up. In the past
year MTUC repeatedly highlighted the extremely heavy workload imposed on the
conciliation officers, especially at the Industrial Relations Department in
Selangor and Federal Territory. The undue pressure and the burden on the officers
resulted in shoddy conciliation. Reports were not done even after a year of
conclusion of conciliation proceedings, files were misplaced and some cases
were reopened because new officers assigned could not read the notes left by
the previous officer.
At least 52 unions have expressed their
dissatisfaction. We enclose herewith reports from our affiliates showing that
85 cases of dismissals pending 1998, 57 cases pending since 1999 and another 32
since early 2000.
COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT DISPUTES
The statistics attached would show that more cases
remain unresolved. Due to lack of time and workload the Industrial Relations
Department is not able to play an efficient and meaningful role to facilitate
amicable settlements. Unions are under tremendous pressure to avoid going to
the Industrial Relation Department and resort to industrial action.
According to our survey it takes 12 to 24 months for
a dispute to reach the Industrial Court and it takes another 12 to 24 months
for the courts to hear and hand down an award. Pending this frustratingly slow
process, some companies change their name, close down and cease operation. In
such event the court cannot even serve the award. In some cases, employers are
still carrying on business under different name in the same premises and
location but refuse to accept courts notices.
CLAIM FOR RECOGNITION
There seem to be a series lack of urgency in settling
unions’ claim for recognition. The Industrial Relations Department fails to
comprehend the numerous problems faced by workers in those workplaces.
We are witnessing increasing anti union activities by
employers and the situation is worsening. Under Section 9 of the Industrial
Relations Act, union recognition claims should be settle within 21 days but in
practice it is taking as long as 12 to 18 months. Employed openly defy the
Labour Laws and often refuse to cooperate with the Industrial Relations
Department.
The Human Resources Ministry must accept
responsibility for perpetuating this sad state of affairs.: We say this because
4 years ago suitable amendments were draft and endorsed by employers, workers
and Government, but up to now no action have been taken. The amendments
intended to empower the Director General of Industrial Relations and the Human
Resources Minister to act against recalcitrant employers.
From the report received from our affiliates 25
recognition claims have been pending for more than 12 months and another 15
claims pending for more than 6 months.
Affiliates have informed us that offices from the Shah
Alam Department of Trade Unions have completed their work and submitted their
report to DGTU six months ago but up to now no further action have been taken.
This resulted from the long delay in appointing a new DGTU.
The delay in the settlement of recognition claims is
further worsened by the YB Minister’s reluctance to invoke the powers vested in
him under Sec 9 (5) of the Industrial Relations Act 1967. If an employer fail
to accord recognition within 14 days of notification by DGIR, we urge the YB
Menteri to make a final decision.
We submit this memorandum to highlight worker’s grievances
against anti-union employers and urge the YB Menteri to take appropriate
action.
We remain,
Yours faithfully
SENATOR ZAINAL RAMPAK
PRESIDENT
G.RAJASEKARAN
SEC-GENERAL
Subang Jaya 11 October 2000