KUALA LUMPUR – As part of his promise to “stand with employees”, newly minted Human Resources Minister Steven Sim has appointed a trade unionist as his special functions officer.
Sim announced the appointment of Chee Yeeh Ceeu, a labour activist of 15 years’ experience with the National Union of Bank Employees Malaysia (NUBE) and a member of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress’ (MTUC) general council.
“Since the beginning of my appointment (as human resources minister), I have expressed my commitment to stand with employees.
“This (Chee’s) appointment allows closer involvement of workers in policymaking at the ministry level,” Sim said in a statement today.
Chee is NUBE’s treasurer general and sits on MTUC’s general council.
Trade unions were unhappy recently with the passing of an amendment to the Trade Unions Act to allow workers to set up multiple unions. The amendment bill was passed by the Dewan Rakyat in October.
The amendment abolishes restrictions on setting up trade unions, including allowing only one union per industry, occupation or trade.
Unionists have opposed the amendment out of concern that workers’ solidarity and collective bargaining power would be weakened. – December 20, 2023