Shouts of Menteri penipu! (the minister is a liar) echoed around the human resources ministry in Putrajaya, shattering the peace of the morning in this corner of the administrative capital.

A huge banner congratulating Malaysia on its 50th birthday was stretched across the massive red brick building, but some 100 picketeers representing workers' groups were obviously not in festive mood.

They dared minister Fong Chan Onn to step out of his office, insisting they would not move an inch until he personally accepted their memorandum against proposed amendments to the Industrial Relations Act and Trades Union Act.

Representatives of the Coalition of the Oppressed (Jerit), pro-tem Malaysian Socialist Party (PSM), Coalition of Factory Workers and Unions (GPKK), among other groups, were clearly fired up.

Their anger was directed at the ministry's move to "bulldoze through the amendments which will ...reduce workers to the status of slaves", as PSM pro-tem secretary-general S Arutchelvan put it.

Their banners and placards read 'Minimum wage now!', 'Stop violating workers and constitutional rights' and 'Ministers are slaves to capitalists'.

"We are protesting against a blatant lie, against workers oppression, against a system interested only in profit and (which is) apathetic about the plight of workers," explained Jerit co-ordinator S Parameswari.

The amendment bills were tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on July 3, and are expected to be debated at the upcoming sitting which begins on Monday.

Explaining why the ministry is accused of lying, she said union representatives had met secretary-general P Manogaran in 2004. They were told the ministry was drafting a bill that would provide for automatic recognition of unions if employers do not reply within 21 days of an appeal being submitted.

"In 2006, we met Deputy Minister Abdul Rahman Bakar, who said the same thing. But without consultation , the ministry is now proposing to reduce workers' rights to justice! Liars!" she exclaimed.

The Trades Union Act currently states that newly-established unions can apply to the employers for recognition. If there is no response within 21 days, the matter will be referred to the Industrial Relations Department (IRD) for a decision.

Under the proposed amendment, however, the unions will have to submit a written appeal yo the IRD within 14 days. If this is not done, unions will not be recognised.

Workers' groups see this as denying the right to form a union.

Official 'warned'

After an hour of persistent shouting, the groups met with IRD officer K Kesavan. The discussion led to the compromise that ministry secretary-general Thomas George would receive te memorandum.

Kesavan explained that the minister was attending the weekly cabinet meeting, and was then required to attend a meeting in Penang.

Hearing this, GPKK president Helen Mary Johnson shouted "Liar! Liar! Typical excuses by the minister. He is afraid!"

After another hour's wait in the scorching sun, the groups were relieved when George appeared at the entrance to accept the memorandum and a petition containing 3,000 signatures.

He appeared surprised to receive a warning that the groups would pursue the matter "until it is thoroughly resolved".

"If the minister does not respond to our demand, we will lodge police reports around the country against him," Parameswari told him sternly.

"We will (swamp) all members of Parliament with letters and stage a massive picket on Merdeka day."

Malaysiakini was stopped by security personnel from approaching George for his comments.

Watch the three-minute clip here.