KUALA LUMPUR – Newly appointed Human Resources Minister Steven Sim should reevaluate existing labour laws, in particular the recent amendment that allows a multiplicity of unions, labour activists said.
National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) assistant general secretary A. Karuna said the minister should review amendments to the Trade Union Act 1959 if he is truly committed to standing with workers as he has claimed.
“Specifically the one that enables multiplicity, which denies unionised workers their right to bargain, as well as the excessive power given to the director-general of trade unions (DGTU),” she said.
Sim should also revisit past proposals on the matter sent by unions to the ministry, she added.
If the amendment is to be kept, there should be a five-year period before the multiplicity of unions is allowed, so that the unions involved can provide explanations on their side over the matter, Karuna also said.
During this period, Sim could implement the necessary mechanisms through regulations that protect union members’ collective bargaining rights before the amended act is implemented.
Furthermore, Karuna recommended that Sim seek advice from his newly appointed special duties officer, Chee Yeeh Ceeu, who is an experienced unionist.
Chee was a Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) general council member and NUBE general treasurer prior to his appointment.
Karuna said Chee had “fought hard against the amendments”, particularly those related to union multiplicity and the excessive powers granted to the DGTU.
According to Section 4 of the act, the DGTU may exercise all powers, discharge duties, and perform any functions deemed necessary to give effect to or carry out the act’s provisions.
This is on top of the powers, duties, and functions conferred on the DGTU within the act.
The amendment to allow union multiplicity, which was passed in the Dewan Rakyat in October, had been panned by the Coalition Against the Multiplicity of Unions (Camu), an umbrella group of unions.
National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) president Ismail Nasaruddin said Sim should revisit past issues raised by unions regarding salary and allowance, and also airline companies that do not comply with labour and industrial laws, including recognising trade unions.
Ismail added that Sim should go beyond merely reviewing past proposals, but also engage with unions firsthand.
“He should be on the ground to see and know firsthand the issues faced by workers in our industry,” he said.
Ismail also hoped that there would be no further changes to the post of human resources minister, as frequent reshuffles could create a sense of uncertainty.
Unions have generally welcomed Sim’s appointment and pro-worker stance for the ministry.
On other matters, NUBE’s Karuna hoped Sim could empower bank workers by providing an avenue for them to attend reskilling programmes.
“Banks are not training workers on soft, professional, and technical skills. They have been confining training to trivial e-learning for the last 20 years.
“Whereas, the middle and top management are provided extensive training, including all-paid-for sessions in overseas institutions,” she added.
So far, since his appointment, Sim has scrapped the multi-million ringgit Skills Passport project, as it had been delayed for over a year and was no longer suitable for implementation.
The ministry will also structure the National Human Resources Policy and expedite the Progressive Wage Model’s pilot project. – December 29, 2023