PSM warns MTUC suspension could lead to 'mega-level' union-busting
PSM has expressed its alarm over the recent turmoil involving the MTUC, in which the ROS has announced the suspension of the body which represents half a million workers, and threatened it with de-registration.
"We read with concern in media the recent suspension of MTUC by the ROS. While we understand and acknowledge the internal problems and factional infighting within MTUC, we believe those issues need to be resolved by the trade union body internally without any interference from the state in the form of the ROS," PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan (above) told Malaysiakini today...
PSM has expressed its alarm over the recent turmoil involving the MTUC, in which the ROS has announced the suspension of the body which represents half a million workers, and threatened it with de-registration.
"We read with concern in media the recent suspension of MTUC by the ROS. While we understand and acknowledge the internal problems and factional infighting within MTUC, we believe those issues need to be resolved by the trade union body internally without any interference from the state in the form of the ROS," PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan (above) told Malaysiakini today.
He noted that the suspension also came at a time when the MTUC has been facing growing tension in its relationship with Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran, most notably in discussions over amendments to the Industrial Relations Act 1967, which the MTUC says will allow multiple unions at the workplace and undermine worker unity.
The MTUC, which was formed in 1949, is an umbrella body with union affiliates representing major industries and sectors and boasts approximately 500,000 members.
Arutchelvan also expressed his unhappiness at how the matter has been handled.
"We are also surprised that letters between the ROS and MTUC can go viral, and yet MTUC claimed that they did not receive it.
"What is even more shocking is that the Selangor ROS refused to give copies of the letter by hand when MTUC sec-gen requested the letter in person in the ROS office. This reminds PSM of our own experience fighting with ROS on similar bureaucratic matters," he said.
Arutchelvan added that PSM calls on the government to respect freedom of association and ensure that the ROS' move did not become a union-busting exercise at a mega-level, when the human resources minister is trying to increase union membership to 30 percent.
"The home minister should revoke any form of harassment against the MTUC. If not, we will see a repeat of the Malaysian Labour Organisation episode in 1990 when the BN government formed and recognised an alternate body to undermine the MTUC."
At present, the MTUC leadership, under president Abdul Halim Mansor (above) and secretary-general J Solomon, is coming under attack from former secretary-general N Gopal Kishnam, who claims that the duo has been hiding information from the general council, something the two men have flatly denied.
Arutchelvan said that PSM, with its focus on workers' rights, does not endorse any party in this dispute, but wished to work with the MTUC as a whole.
However, when asked about factional disputes and leaders building power bases instead of defending workers' rights, he acknowledged weaknesses in the system saying, "We find that career trade unionism has serious problems."
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