More than 500 union members gathered at Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's office in Putrajaya today to hand over a memorandum on a series of long-standing labour issues.

Led by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), the group gathered at the PM's department car park and at 11am, submitted the 70-page document to a department officer. Abdullah is currently on a working trip to Laos and the Philippines.

MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran said the decision to take trade union problems direct to the premier was made because of the Human Resources Ministry's failure to tackle issues, most of which are related to workers' right to join unions.

"Trade unions are unhappy with the ministry's failure to enforce the Industrial Relations Act provision to resolve union recognition disputes speedily," Rajasekaran said in a statement today.

"Thousands of dismissed workers have had to endure extreme hardship, awaiting settlement of their cases for three to six years."

The memorandum listed problems confronting the MTUC's 230 affiliates nationwide. It was drawn up following the adoption of 16 resolutions at its special Labour Convention held on Jan 10.

It called on the government to ratify the International Labour Organisation's 'Convention 87', which guarantees freedom to join unions, and further stated its disappointment and frustration with the ministry.

Allegations against ministry

Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn has come under fire over the ministry's alleged non-compliance with the Industrial Relations Act 1967.

The ministry has been blamed for purportedly condoning union-busting activities through inaction or evasion, and denying workers the right to join trade unions.

Union members are also said to be miffed with the government's continuous import of foreign workers at the expense of local labour.

When contacted, MTUC president Zainal Rampak said the congress had "given up hope" of meeting Fong to resolve the problems.

"He keeps saying that our relationship is good. He can say anything. But what is the point of having a good relationship when he is not doing anything at all? We need to see some action," he said.

"Today, some of our members have come all the way from Penang and Johor. This shows how serious we are (about the problems)."

Zainal, who is also a senator, said the MTUC hopes to meet Abdullah as soon as he returns home.

He expressed disappointment with having been made to wait for more than 30 minutes before the PM's representative met with the union members this morning.

Fong, who could not be reached for comment, was quoted by The Star as saying on Saturday that the ministry will prepare the appropriate response to the cabinet on the memorandum.

He said he was "not ashamed" of his ministry's efforts in trying to resolve many of the points raised by the congress, including delays in hearing labour disputes.

He added that it was not the first time that the MTUC had threatened to submit a memorandum and "this will not be the last time either".