The newly-elected Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) leadership today proposed a new approach to resolve the dispute over the legitimate leadership of the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE).

However, no details were revealed.

The MTUC used the preliminary meeting with Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn to propose alternative ways to break the impasse in the NUBE leadership crisis which tops the congress' priority list of challenges.

Asked for details of the MTUC's proposal to resolve the NUBE problem, Fong told reporters in Putajaya that fresh polls was not the only available option.

"We will take a less legalistic approach this time. Over the last three years, I've said many things but until and unless both factions come together on a common understanding, nothing can be done," he said.

"We have proposed to amend the Trade Unions Act to prevent a similar situation in future."

Some of the proposed amendments will see passage in Parliament in March, including the Trade Unions Act which is designed to empower the Director-General of Trade Union (DGTU) to intervene in major internal disputes.

When pressed further, MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran interjected to explain that several attempts to resolve the issue had failed so far.

Another option

"But we have just discussed another option and would prefer to see this through before revealing more. We will advise the parties in the NUBE later on, the rest is up to them."

MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud, however, expressed caution over the ministry's move to grant the DGTU wider powers.

"The NUBE crisis should not be used to amend the Trade Unions Act. This could prove to be dangerous," he said, describing today's session as "a good one for a first meeting".

"We have not seen the proposed amendments. Until then, we won't be able to gauge the implications on the labour movement."

On Dec 14, the Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed an application for a judicial review on the powers of the DGTU to call for or conduct fresh polls in the NUBE dispute which has been going on since late 2001.

Work closely

Filed by the group led by Abdul Jalil Abdul Hamid as president and J Solomon as general secretary, they had also sought an order for the DGTU to oversee a fresh poll that was to be conducted by a caretaker committee.

The caretaker committee's application earlier had also been dismissed last September.

Speaking to reporters after the hour-long meeting, Fong said his ministry is looking to work closely with the new MTUC team comprising 11 new principal office-bearers.

"We will also continue the nationwide road show with the MTUC to promote the code of conduct for industrial harmony," added the minister.

The 15-member MTUC delegation later met with Deputy Human Resources Minister Abdul Rahman Bakar.