A group of people representing the trades union umbrella body MTUC and other NGOs were today stopped from entering the Parliament to submit a memorandum on the passing of new labour laws.

The group, numbering about 50 people from Malaysian Trade Union Congress and others, had wanted to express their displeasure over the Industrial Relations Act and Trade Unions Act which were tabled for second reading today.

However, MTUC president Syed Sharir Syed Muhamud claimed that the group was not allowed into the Parliament.

"We are very much disturbed with the authorities who do not want to allow us into Parliament. These are not workers, but leaders representing various organisations. And we wanted to send in only seven people, not the whole lot of them," said Syed Shahrir.

"It's supposed to be our house, the people's house," he said, explaining that the group was there to discuss with parliamentarians on why the union and workers are protesting against the amendments to the two bills.

'We want to explain to them the reasons we're against the bills so that they will be able to use our explanations when they debate on the bills," he said.

On that note, MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran said that the union wanted the government, especially the minister (Human Resource Minister Fong Chan Onn) to keep the promise made to them.

"We were told that only one section of Industrial Relations Act will be tabled in Parliament for amendments. However, when the bill was tabled on July 3, the whole lot of sections are tabled for amendments," he said.

"Should the bill be passed, we would suspend our participation in all tripartite for one month before we review our decision," he said, adding that MTUC also will organise a rally at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Kuala Lumpur on Sept 8 as a protest against the bill.

Memo handed to MP

Besides, Rajasekaran said, the union will also approach Suhakam and International Labour Organisation (ILO) for help if the bills are passed.

"We will bring it to ILO because the bills, if they are passed, are against United Nation's Charter and ILO regulations," he added.

Earlier, MTUC submitted a memorandum to Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera) who met the group outside Parliament.

In the memorandum, MTUC lined up reasons as to why the union was against the proposed amendments to the bills.

Among the reasons cited was that the amendments are against United Nation Charter and International Human Rights Laws.

The Industrial Relations Bill was passed after a lengthy debate today.