MALAYSIAN
TRADES UNION CONGRESS
PRESS
STATEMENT
15TH
APRIL 2010
WORST LABOUR LAW AMENDMENTS IN 40 YEARS
TO PROMOTE PRECARIOUS EMPLOYMENT
The proposed changes to the Employment Act 1955, Industrial Relations Act 1967
and the Trade Union Act 1959 is seen as the worst in 40 years. The
amendments, when passed, would completely remove security of tenure for
thousands of workers in the country.
The amendment is
deliberately designed to empower employers to employ workers on fixed term
contract for as long as they please. Even workers who had ten years service on
a contract basis will have no right to seek redress in the event of termination.
This is a drastic
change from the current law and practice which accords the right to all
workers, irrespective of their salary levels and length of service, including
probationers to challenge their dismissals.
The Minister is also
seeking amendments to permit employers to question a trade union’s
representative status every five years. This will have a serious impact on
trade unions right to negotiate on terms and conditions of employment. This
will also encourage employers to intensify their efforts to encourage their
employees to relinquish their union membership. MTUC is deeply concerned with
the Minister’s retrogressive step.
Union leaders
representing 200 affiliates will participate in an emergency meeting on Monday
(19th April 2010) to discuss the draconian amendments, and decide on
the course of action.
The proposed
amendments, we believe, are done at the behest of Multinational Corporations
and potential investors.
G. RAJASEKARAN
Secretary General