The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) today arrived at a consensus with Kwong Wah Yit Poh Press Bhd (Company) to settle the contract system issue which was referred to the Industrial Court earlier this year.   

This follows an out of Court settlement reached by the parties whereby the company agreed that all fixed-term contract employees fell within the scope of the union representation and collective agreement between it and the union, said NUJ in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today.   

In 2009 the Penang-based company had implemented a mandatory system for new employees to work in the newspaper on a contract basis, not allowing workers to remain continuously in the union.  

The union's representatives, NUJ president Chin Sung Chew; union branch chairperson Chua Cheong Wee; branch secretary KY Leong; and Kwong Wah Yit Poh Press’ human resources manager Ang Chen Chun and assistant human resources manager Choy Mee Kam were present during the recording of the consent award.  

- Bernama