KUALA LUMPUR – Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan has pushed back against claims by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) that the ministry lacked engagement on labour-related issues, saying nearly 400 consultation sessions have been held with stakeholders.
Addressing the issue, Ramanan pointed to internal differences within MTUC as a key hurdle in coordination.
“I’ve answered this question many times. The MTUC has always had Team A and Team B. In everything, you have Team A and Team B. But when we make an invitation, Team A says yes, Team B says no. Team B says yes, Team A says no,” he said, responding to a journalist during a press conference today.
He added that such inconsistencies have complicated discussions, while emphasising that the ministry does not intend to interfere in the organisation’s internal matters.
“I do not want to quarrel with MTUC. They have their own stance, their own establishment, their own unions, let them resolve their own issues,” he added.
Ramanan also stressed the scale of the ministry’s engagement, noting close to 400 sessions involving multiple stakeholders.
“I think we’ve had almost 400 engagement sessions. It’s funny because only MTUC is saying there were no engagement sessions, or some from their side are saying there were none,” he said.
He questioned the basis of MTUC’s claims, pointing out that platform owners, artistes, actors, and associations all participated.
“If there were no engagement sessions, how did platform owners, artistes, actors and associations all appear in these discussions? They cannot just magically appear if we didn’t have the engagement sessions,” he added.
Ramanan said the ministry remains open to engagement but insisted stakeholders must ensure internal alignment for more effective discussions.
“I think they should get their affairs in order,” he said.
Earlier, Ramanan criticised MTUC over its last-minute call to postpone the Gig Workers Act 2025, urging the organisation to “get its house in order.”
Providing further context, Deputy Secretary-General (Policy and International) Mohd Shaharin Umar said the MTUC President had supported the Act throughout the legislative process.
“For the whole year of 2024 to 2025, everyone was involved,” Shaharin said, noting the MTUC President even attended Parliament to show support during the Act’s presentation. – April 3, 2026