The increasing trend of industrial actions in the country is worrying the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) because of its impact on the future of the country's labour movement, its secretary-general G Rajasekaran said.

He blamed the lack of speedy enforcement of related laws as the main cause for the decline in industrial harmony in various sectors.

"Pickets by employees in a number of sectors could be prevented if the authorities invoke the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act (IRA) and the Employment Act (EA)," he said in a statement.

Rajasekaran (top) cited several unions who had picketed over the last few weeks.

The Resorts World Employees' Union staged a three-day picket in Genting Highlands beginning Feb 13 to protest the deadlock over collective agreement (CA) negotiations.

Contacted today, its president Robert Vijendran said the main demand was for a 20 percent salary increase.

"But it was shot down when the new chairperson, Lim Kok Thay (left), only agreed on a RM20 salary adjustment," he said.

He said the matter was recently referred to the industrial court, but the union was suspicious of the speedy move given the fact that it was not notified of it earlier.

"It would have been more prudent for the (Human Resources) minister (Dr Fong Chan Onn) or the director-general of industrial relations to mediate towards an amicable solution.

Health issue in Genting

Robert said a tripartite meeting was held on Wednesday following MTUC president Zainal Rampak's intervention.

"Right now, we are waiting for Genting to revert to Lim before getting back to us."

He said the union has also demanded for the company to designate the casino a smoke-free zone.

"The situation is worst during peak season, and it is affecting members' health," he added.

Two years ago, he said, an employee was diagnosed with lung cancer. "But he has never smoked a cigarette in his life."

In 2001, the union had met the senior Lim (Goh Tong) about the deplorable condition of the casino, after which he had directed for the ventilation to be improved at a cost of almost RM1 million.

The New Straits Times reported on Feb 20 that the Genting group of companies - Genting Bhd and Resorts World Bhd - became the largest shareholder with a four percent stake in London Clubs International Plc, the top casino operator in the city.

The report quoted analysts as saying that the move would give Genting "a solid foothold" in the RM53.7 billion UK gaming market.

Another picket earlier this month involved about 200 Royal Selangor Golf Club employees in Kuala Lumpur.

The picket held between Feb 14 and Feb 29 to protest against the laying-off of 47 staff.

Club Employees Union Peninsular Malaysia secretary-general, Abdullah Sani, said the retrenchment exercise had not only violated the IRA and EA, but also the collective agreement.

"The company only notified employees on Feb 4, telling them to either accept the voluntary separation scheme or be thrown out by Feb 29," he said when contacted today.

Union-busting move?

He said the retrenchment was never discussed with employees as provided for under the CA, and that the union would be filing a case under Section 56 of the IRA for non-compliance.

The union's CA expired at the end of last month.

"We are filing about seven cases of unfair dismissal on Monday. We learnt that 40 others had accepted the VSS."

Quoting the club management, Abdullah said the retrenchment of the F&B and sports staff was due to losses amounting to an average of RM900,000 per year.

"We believe that this is a union-busting move, which also shows the management's lack of responsibility for the workers' welfare."

He claimed the club has been spending money on "unnecessary facilities", a RM7 million building for the administration and caddies and hiring highly-paid staff.

Abdullah vowed to pursue the matter and ensure that the club respects the rights of the workers.