Hundreds of workers of a rubber manufacturing company in Shah Alam picketed against their management's policy to recruit foreigners and contract workers today.

The Goodyear Malaysia Bhd workers sang solidarity songs, carried placards and banners with slogans like '3 in 1 - Cronyism, Nepotism, $$$' and ' Beruk di hutan disusukan, lembu di kandang disuapkan, rakyat kita tiada pekerjaan ' (Read: favouring others instead of Malaysians).

The workers started picketing at about 2pm, lasting for about 40 minutes, in a presence of a small number of police personnel. The picket was continued throughout the day in accordance to the working shifts of the workers.

Goodyear Worksite Committee chairperson Sulaiman Amin said the workers were unhappy that the company was outsourcing its work and employing contract workers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

He also said they were against the manner in which the management allegedly 'discriminates and violates' the rights of these foreign workers by paying them paltry wages without giving them leave or bonuses

"It is clear that the company is discriminating these foreign workers for the sake of making profit," said Sulaiman, who is the vice-president of the National Union of employees in Companies Manufacturing Rubber Products (NUECMRP).

"These workers have been denied rights guaranteed under our Contractual Agreement and the 1955 Employment Act," he added.

Goodyear's involvement in Malaysia dates back to 1908 when Goodyear Orient Company, a rubber buying firm, was established in Singapore to purchase rubber from plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia.

In 1972, Goodyear established its own manufacturing plant based in Shah Alam, Selangor and today is one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the country.

Working three shifts, the company employs nearly 700 people and produces a wide range of passenger car tyres under three different brands - Goodyear, Fulda and Kelly.

Union member suspended

According to Sulaiman, NUECMRP has met with the company's human resources department and written letters to the Human Resources Ministry and immigration department regarding the issue but have yet to receive a reply.

The union wants the management to respect the rights of workers and comply with the basic laws provided by the Employment Act and the company's contractual agreement.

"We also want the management to stop its outsourcing practice, stop employing contract workers, and to keep to their agreement of confirming workers after six months of employment," said Sulaiman.

In a related issue, the company is alleged to have suspended a union executive committee member Mohd Saad Manap for being absent from Dec 28 to Dec 30.

However, Mohd Saad claimed that the human resources department has approved his leave when he made his application on Dec 3.

"I believe I have been suspended for my union activities. This is a form of union busting," he said when met at the picket.

Despite numerous attempts, the company's human resources director Sharuddin Manap was not available for comment.