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<img src="images/articles/2007/3429.jpg" align="left" height="254" hspace="5" width="220">When
Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud was elected president of the Malaysian Trade Union
Congress (MTUC) in 2004, what the future held was unclear, but one thing was
certain – that his task was to receive the baton from his predecessor and continue
pursuing the unfinished business of the past. <br>
<br>
The role of a trade union may be multi-faceted, but fundamentally, Syed Shahir
fights for the rights of workers, who are prone to exploitation in a capitalist
economy. </p>
<p>For MTUC, an umbrealla organisation that represents hundreds of trade unions
and many times more workers nationwide, its role could be of an even higher
order but the principle is still the same. <br>
<br>
While the motivation for pursuing the rights could be political, social or economic,
the one motivation that guides Syed Shahir is just to be human and sympathetic
towards the helpless and hopeless. <br>
<br>
"Human beings deserve to be treated like human beings. They should get what
they deserve." <br>
<br>
<img src="images/articles/2007/1973.jpg" align="right" height="175" hspace="5" width="260">To
him, it is as simple as that – upholding the dignity of his fellow human beings.
<br>
<br>
<font color="#800000"><B>‘Most times are difficult’</B></font> <br>
<br>
While his 2004 victory was an encouraging milestone in his fight for his
fellow workers, the journey has not been easy. His victory was not an easy one
either. It has taken him persistence and five challenges for the presidency
to be where he is today. <br>
<br>
It seems like Syed Shahir will never be content with what he has achieved. <br>
<br>
Asked when was the most difficult time during his work in the union, Syed Shahir
said, "Most of the times have been difficult. To me, it is most difficult when
you want to fulfill the wishes of your members. Other people might accept me
and what I have done for them, but I cannot easily accept myself." <br>
<br>
"For example, the dispute of the leadership of the National Union of Bank Employees
was unresolved for many years. So when I took over in 2004, I promised that
I would try to resolve the issue within three months. I failed within that period.
It eventually took six to seven months. The moment you make the promise, until
you resolve it, it is something that will tug at your heart." <br>
<br>
<img src="images/articles/2007/22323.jpg" align="right" height="224" hspace="5" width="320">In
fact, Syed Shahir is now faced with a similar challenge. <br>
<br>
<font color="#800000"><B>Share of country’s rewards</B></font> <br>
<br>
He has been in the limelight a lot lately for MTUC’s demand to the government
to pass a legislation for a minimum wage of RM900 and a cost-of-living allowance
of RM300 for workers in the private sector. <br>
<br>
MTUC made it to the headlines lately for holding a nationwide picket for the
cause. However, minimum wage is not a new endeavour that the congress has just
undertaken. In fact, it started pushing for the policy eight years ago. <br>
<br>
Two months ago, watching their counterparts in the civil service getting a rather
hefty pay raise and anticipating the inflation that could possibly result, Syed
Shahir and MTUC took up the challenge to step up MTUC’s movement for the implementation
of a minimum wage. <br>
<br>
If anything, MTUC just wanted their workers to be able to enjoy a share of the
rewards of the country’s economic growth, which they have contributed towards,
and have a form of social security in an increasingly expensive country to live
in. <br>
<br>
<img src="images/articles/2007/3365.gif" align="left" height="146" hspace="5" width="219">While
he has been a unionist for more than 30 years, Syed Shahir’s first encounter
with unionism was rather indirect. <br>
<br>
"I had several friends in KL then. I was helping them write up some articles
and doing translation from English to Malay. So I got to know some friends who
were in the trade union in 1972. The workers of an engineering company went
on a strike so we helped them with translating some materials. There was a lot
of industrial action at that time," said Syed Shahir, who hailed from Pahang,
on his most remote but earliest involvement with union activities. <br>
<br>
Syed Shahir was then working as a teacher on attachment. He then left the civil
service to contest in the 1974 general election at the age of 21. <br>
<br>
Now 55, Syed Shahir officially took on union activities when he became a member
of the National Union of Transport Equipment Allied Industry Workers. He has
been an active member of MTUC for about 15 years now. <br>
<br>
<B><font color="#800000">‘Politics not interfering in my work’</font></B>
<br>
<br>
Besides being a unionist, Syed Shahir is also a member of PKR, having been with
PRM before it merged with PKR. <br>
<br>
<img src="images/articles/2007/20754.jpg" align="left" height="189" hspace="5" width="320">Syed
Shahir dismissed arguments of his involvement in politics conflicting with his
trade union movement. <br>
<br>
He said, "Being in politics will not interfere in my work for MTUC. On the contrary,
some causes pursued by certain politicians are in line with what MTUC is doing.
We cannot impose our will on others. I believe in the free choice of a person.
If I want to become a member of a political party, it’s my choice." <br>
<br>
On why unionists tend to be aligned to opposition parties, Syed Shahir said
while the government protected the interests of investors and capitalists, unionists
had to take a different position to support the workers. When he decided to
support his members and oppose policies that are detrimental to the well being
of the workers. He also stressed that there were members of the ruling party
who were also involved in union activities. <br>
<br>
<img src="images/articles/2007/9849.jpg" align="left" height="187" hspace="5" width="160">In
spite of the fact that the government has repeatedly expressed its disapproval
towards the proposal, Syed Shahir and MTUC will relentlessly pursue the cause.
Only three years after he took over the helm, Syed Shahir now faces the test
of the burden that he was bequeathed with and hopefully, to bring it to completion.
<br>
<br>
Now, the time it will take for the government to give the nod to MTUC’s minimum
wage proposal, or whether it will give the much-desired nod at all, is still
questionable. It may take months or years. It may not even happen during Syed
Shahir’s term as president. Nevertheless, he believes in laying the foundation
for future generations to enjoy the fruits of the struggle. <br>
<br>
The MTUC president added, "The struggle of any organisation will continue. Leaders
come and go but the organisation remains. Only the speed and the phase will
change."</p>
<hr>
SU HUI HSING is an intern with <i>Malaysiakini</i>.
<p><i>Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/rentakini/70348</i>
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com