KUALA LUMPUR – The Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) has clarified that Malaysia’s delegation to the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva does not include a workers’ representative from the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) due to the organisation currently lacking official leadership.
In a statement today, the ministry dismissed allegations that the government had intentionally excluded MTUC from the conference, describing such claims as “unfounded, misleading and malicious”.
It explained that the Court of Appeal had on February 21 directed MTUC to conduct fresh leadership elections within 90 days, a process to be overseen by a joint special committee (JBK).
“The election that was supposed to be held in May has been postponed to August 10, resulting in MTUC not having an official leadership to represent workers on any official platform, including the ILC,” the ministry said.
Kesuma further stated that the JBK, established solely to manage the re-election process, has no authority to make policy decisions or nominate delegates for international meetings.
“In fact, the nomination of names by the JBK to the ILC is outside the jurisdiction granted by the court and had been objected to by several MTUC affiliate members,” it noted.
The ministry said the composition of Malaysia’s ILC delegation was determined in accordance with International Labour Organisation (ILO) guidelines and based on legal advice from the Attorney-General’s Chambers, taking into account the current status of MTUC.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to tripartism, Kesuma stressed it supports the involvement of legitimately constituted workers’ unions on international platforms.
“Kesuma calls for the MTUC re-elections to be promptly resolved to protect the image of the workers’ union movement and ensure Malaysia’s complete participation in the ILC next year,” it added. – June 7, 2025