New bill to prevent abuse of power by trade unions - minister

PARLIAMENT | Human Resources Minister M Saravanan today said proposed changes under the Trade Union (Amendment) Bill 2022 were intended to prevent an abuse of power by trade unions.

This was amid concerns that the introduction of new offences in the bill could result in the deregistration of trade unions.

The proposed new offences include crimes against the state, crimes related to terrorism, and organised crimes - all of which are also listed under the Penal Code.

“This is an early prevention so the trade union does not abuse their powers as a union,” said Saravanan (above).

He was responding to Sivarasa Rasiah (Pakatan Harapan-Sungai Buloh) who interjected the minister’s winding-up speech earlier today.

Sivarasa, who requested clarification behind the inclusion of the offences, also described them as a “threat to trade unions”.

Responding to Saravanan, Charles Santiago (Harapan-Klang) said the minister’s statement was “very unfair and unjust” to workers.

“It implies that trade unions are terrorists. This is unfair.

“I request the minister to withdraw his statement,” said Charles.

However, Saravanan insisted it was necessary to include the proposed offences as prevention against future incidents.

“We can’t say just because our country has an anti-terrorism law, it implies that Malaysians are terrorists.

“No, this is a prevention. As a government, if something were to happen, we need to have all the room (to act),” Saravanan said.

Charles then suggested the same restrictions be imposed on employers, to be fair to both parties.

Bill passed via voice vote

Other matters debated included a proposal to remove the right of workers who have resigned or been dismissed to vote on whether a trade union will hold a picket.

Responding to MPs who cited instances of workers with pending cases in the industrial court, Saravanan insisted the amendment was intended to ensure that only workers who are still employed will be given their right to vote for or against a picket against their employer.

A total of 15 MPs took part in debating the bill. It was later passed via voice vote at the second reading stage with all its contentious offences intact.

Sivarasa’s voice could be clearly heard declaring, “Tak setuju! (Nay!).

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