Act against 'union busting' to better protect workers, MP tells govt

Raub MP Chow Yu Hui today urged the government to act against alleged “union busting” practices in companies, as an extension of its ongoing commitment to better protect workers’ welfare.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament, Chow called on the government to expedite ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention.

“This commitment will strengthen workers’ rights to organise without interference by any parties, particularly employers,” said Chow.

At the same time, he noted Malaysia is a signatory of ILO’s Convention on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining which requires effective measures to ensure the independence of both workers’ and employers’ organisations.

“This provides protection (for workers) involved in union activities outside their working hours or within their working hours, with permission from employers.

“It is time for the government to seriously view the issue of union busting and take action,” he said.

“This is important not only to protect workers’ rights but to uphold the government’s name at the international stage,” he said while crediting the government for other positive efforts including a new law for better protection of gig workers.

Chow was speaking at a press conference together with several National Union of Transport Equipment and Allied Industries Workers (NUTEAIW) leaders and five members involved in a trade dispute that started in December 2015 against their former employer, a major local automotive company based at its facility in Pekan, Pahang.

Also present were Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim, NUTEAIW general secretary Gopal Kishnam Nadesan, and the five former workers whose case had been raised as a complaint to the ILO Committee On Freedom of Association.

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