A threat for nationwide pickets in September seems no longer idle with the country's trade unions complaining of no change in inflexible labour laws coupled with Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn's recent statement against establishing a minimum wage.

Malaysian Trades Union Congress vice-president Abdul Razak Hamid told malaysiakini today that unions wanted the minister to reverse his stand on minimum wage as it 'violates' the tripartite consultative model for policies.

Under the model, policies and regulations affecting Malaysian workers should first be discussed by the National Labour Advisory Council.

"The government cannot interfere with the rights of workers to organise. As a minister, Fong should have consulted workers first before making a decision," said the union leader.

"If nothing concrete comes of out the ministry to address this and other matters, we will definitely launch nationwide pickets. Nothing seems to have changed (under the new cabinet) since its day one.

"The government's slogan of a 'caring society' has remained just a slogan with the welfare of millions of workers and their families still neglected under the law."

'National philosophy'

From July until the end of August, MTUC will be conducting nationwide road shows to organise their workers' lobby on the minimum wage issue and also on other concerns including overtime pay and maternity and medical leave.

Unorganised sectors' workers, under the Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit) banner will also be working with MTUC to challenge the government's position on various labour issues.

Jerit coordinator M Sarasvathy said: "We will be gathering the informal workforce to educate them on their rights. There's an urgent need to gather these workers because companies are using the excuse of globalisation to create more (workplace) uncertainties."

Early this month, Fong rejected the trades union's request to insert a minimum wage of RM800 per month into employment laws, arguing that globalisation has forced wages adapt to market pressures.

The minister also said that a minimum wage policy 'was against the country's national philosophy'.

Three years

Unions, particularly the MTUC, argue that because of globalisation, the government is obliged to step in and provide protection to workers who are now more likely to face retrenchment than ever before.

According to Abdul Razak, the government's 'absurd' anti-union position has prevented workers from improving their minimum living standards and in seeking better compensation.

According to trades union leaders, Malaysian workers on average have to wait for more than three years before obtaining government recognition for their unions, even though the law stipulates a maximum of 21 days for the process.