The Human Resources Ministry will consider a request by the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) to postpone two labour-related bills, which the union said it was not consulted over.

According to MTUC, minister Dr Fong Chan Onn said he would consider postponing the bills until after a discussion with major trade unions and private firms.

"He was not combative or defensive," said MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud who met Fong in Putrajaya today.

However, he added that the minister did not indicate when he would announce the ministry's decision.

The Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill and the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill went through its first reading in Parliament on Tuesday.

MTUC leaders voiced their protest yesterday, after a meeting with opposition MPs in Parliament.

At today's meeting, Trade Relations Department officials also briefed MTUC leaders on the Trade Unions Bill, which is usually done before the final draft of any bill is completed.

Several major points

Speaking to reporters at the MTUC headquarters in Subang Jaya, Syed Sharir said there were several major points of contention in the bill.

For example, a provision in the bill allows employers to carry out annual review of wages within a collective agreement.

"It would jeopardise the welfare of the workers, simply because the review can be go upward or downward. Although the word 'may' was used, it is a way employers can use to reduce wages," said Syed.

He added that another provision in the bill restricts the power of the courts in compensating workers. The provision limits compensation to 24 months in the case if a worker is retrenched and potential future earnings will not be included.

Syed, however, said MTUC's main gripe was that they were not consulted prior to the first draft.

"It is standard practice, not just for MTUC, but for major unions and employers to be briefed prior to these bills being submitted in Parliament.

"We are not interested in every detail, comma and full stop. The salient points of the provisions should be circulated to us," he said.

Meanwhile, Syed said MTUC will continue to push for minimum wage, regardless of whether he remains president or otherwise. MTUC, the country's largest trade union, will hold its elections this year.

"They said we have a hidden agenda, but there isn't. It's a very real agenda. Speak to those on the ground who earn less than RM400. It's very real for them," he said.

Last month, MTUC staged a nationwide picket in 14 locations after discussions with the government on its campaign for a minimum wage of RM900 and cost of living (Cola) of RM300 for private sector employees came to a deadlock.

The government has argued that a minimum wage will result in competition between foreign and local workers, and that it would discourage foreign investors from coming in.

Watch the three-minute video here.