A single mother lost her job two weeks ago for purportedly questioning her former employer Box Pak Malaysia Bhd's decision to transfer her from the position of machine operator.

In response, Rani Veeriah, 43, who was the company union's former secretary and 30 other members staged a 90-minute protest outside the factory in Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur yesterday, carrying banners and placards. They will continue picketing at 5pm today.

They demanded for her reinstatement as well as continued their demands for two months' bonus and annual increment in salary. They also asked Box Pak's management to end internal transfers of union members.

"We held pickets on Jan 7, 11, 12 and 13. As a result there was a meeting to discuss the issues and a collective agreement with the management. However, till now, there has not been positive results," said Rani when contacted today.

"We were getting a bonus and increment until last year. When we asked why our 2004 bonus was not paid and why there has been no increment this year, the personnel manager and various supervisors said it was because we had formed a union.

Rani, who has been working with the paper products manufacturer for 11 years and who earned RM645, revealed that the workers' basic salaries began at RM350 per month.

She was paid half the month's salary when sacked on Jan 19, after an internal inquiry found her guilty of breaking company rules.

Disciplinary action

When contacted, a Box Pak human resources department representative confirmed Rani's termination on grounds of dissent.

"If they commit offences, then disciplinary action needs to be taken," said the executive, who declined to be named.

As for the bonus, he said the company could not pay the two-month bonus due to financial constraints.

He added that a one-month bonus was offered but that only the managerial and executive level employees had agreed to it.

The Box Pak employees union was formed and registered in June 2002. It was initially not recognised because it only had a small number of members.

About two years later, membership grew to 100, more than half of the company's labour force, and has since gained recognition.

"Our union joined the paper and paper products national union and we were getting advice from them. They even initially advised me and others who were to be transferred, not to agree to this," said Rani.

However, she claimed the national union abandoned them at one stage of the negotiations.

"That may change as there was a national union representative at yesterday's picket who said he will help us.

"When we didn't get much help from the national union, we sought the assistance of NGOs who have been helping us especially when police began showing up at our peaceful pickets."

National Union of Paper and Paper Products Manufacturing Employees Unions organising secretary S Somahsundra said he is in the midst of sending an official letter to the human resource minister and prime minister about this case.

He said three rounds of negotiations for a agreeable collective agreement have failed to date.

"This is an outstanding case and a classic example of union busting and victimising those who unionise. The company, a public listed one, doesn't seem to have a heart for its workers and are penalising them openly," he added.