The effects of globalisation on Malaysia's labour resources will hog the attention of delegates attending the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) 36th triennial delegates conference on Dec 29 and 30.

The trade union umbrella body's secretary-general G Rajasekaran said the real threat was the effects of globalisation on job security, particularly white-collar jobs.

"White-collar jobs have become really scarce. Most graduates cannot use their chosen courses in the present job market.

"Whatever that is available is based on outsourced jobs which have become mostly monthly contracts, leading to job insecurity," he added.

Rajasekaran said that in chasing foreign investments, the government has ignored or neglected workers' rights.

"It prefers to attend to complaints by investors, foreign ones in particular, that Malaysia does not have any legal safeguards.

"So, it is opening up the market even more," referring to globalisation and its adverse effects on the local labour movement," he added.

A total of 19 resolutions will be tabled before more than 2,000 delegates from more than 240 affiliates. The MTUC has a membership of almost half a million.

PM's intervention

Overall, the resolutions appealed for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's intervention to resolve unfair labour practices, which proponents insist have deteriorated over the years and caused much suffering to workers.

The Human Resources Ministry was also largely blamed for many of the unresolved issues plaguing the labour movement.

Abdullah was asked to "direct the Human Resources Ministry to take firm action and positive steps to ensure compliance" of the Industrial Relations Act 1967.

Expressing deep concern over the increasing delay in settling claims on recognition of union, the resolution said the situation has worsened since 1999, especially the delay in resolving disputes which has serious implications on workers and trade unions.

Another resolution stated the ministry's "indifference towards the suffering of thousands of workers who are dismissed each year" was perturbing as thousands of working families were affected.

Union-busting is another major area of concern, with a resolution calling Abdullah to direct the ministry to comply with existing labour laws.

"(The) ministry's failure to enforce the provisions guaranteeing workers' rights has encouraged more employers to contravene the legal safeguard with impunity.

"We are disappointed by the ministry's refusal to act on specific complaints of collaboration by its officers (which facilitate) union-busting activities," read one resolution.

Another resolution alleged that the ministry had, over the last four years, colluded with many employers to deny workers' their rights to get organised and collectively bargain for better terms and conditions.

"In the last three years, the ministry has denied freedom of association to more than 8,000 workers," it said, citing 47 years of Merdeka and Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

Job security

On the issue of job security, a resolution noted the current contracting system and practice which has "completely removed the security of tenure and employees earnings each day has become uncertain".

"Such practice is spreading throughout the country involving tens of thousands of workers and is threatening employees and their families of their livelihood.

"Even the limited safeguards under the Employment Act are not enforced."

Another resolution raised the issue of the increasing number of companies, including major banks, who abuse the voluntary separation scheme (VSS) to get rid of employees, and wanted the government to act firmly against powerful employers.

Limited employment opportunities for locals due to the government's invitation for another 300,000 foreign workers to come to Malaysia was also condemned.

"Factory closures and relocation has eliminated thousands of jobs and severely restricted job opportunities. (But) the ministry is oblivious to the sufferings of unemployed Malaysians," it read.

"(There) are increasing number of complaints from local workers of discriminatory policies and practices enforced by companies, including major multinational corporations."

The resolution wanted the prime minister to cap the recruitment of foreign workers and direct the ministry to conduct a detailed study to ascertain the situation and determine the labour needs.

Other resolutions raised issues such as discriminatory practices against women, the code of conduct for industrial harmony, minimum wages, domestic violence, trafficking of women, democratic and human rights, and the "uncaring attitude" of the Social Security Organisation.

There was also a resolution to discuss administrative problems within the MTUC involving its decision-making body, the General Council.

Straight-fights

Incumbent MTUC president Zainal Rampak will fend off National Union of Transport Equipment and Allied Industries Workers executive secretary Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud for the fifth time this year.

For the deputy president's post, incumbent Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal is being challenged by Railwaymen's Union of Malaya president Abdul Razak Abdul Hamid.

This time, Rajasekaran is being challenged by former National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general and former Cuepacs president N Siva Subramaniam in the upcoming MTUC elections.

The fight for the deputy secretary-general's post will see incumbent Abdul Halim Mansor facing National Union of Newspaper Workers general secretary R Chandrasekaran.

Candidates for the top key positions in the MTUC are facing straight fights.