Cuepacs urges MTUC to end leadership crisis after ILC no-show

Summary

• Cuepacs wants MTUC to resolve a “leadership crisis”, which a non-representation of workers at the 2025 International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva.

• Rahman claims MTUC failed to prioritise key mandate to hold fresh polls.

• MTUC’s J Solomon denies any commitment to hold election within three months of the committee’s formation.

The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) has urged the Malaysian Trade Unions Congress (MTUC) to resolve a “leadership crisis”.

This has culminated in a non-representation of workers at the 2025 International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva.

Cuepacs secretary-general Abdul Rahman Nordin claimed the absence of Malaysian workers’ representatives at the global event was a direct result of MTUC’s unresolved internal issues, particularly the failure to hold a fresh election.

“For years, the ILC has operated under a tripartite system involving government, employer and worker representatives. But this year, workers are not represented due to the internal turmoil within MTUC,” he told Malaysiakini.

His remarks came in response to MTUC Joint Special Committee chairperson J Solomon, who earlier accused the Human Resources Ministry of violating the International Labour Organisation’s constitution, which mandates full tripartite representation at the ILC.

Rahman (above), who is in Geneva but unable to attend the conference as an official delegate, criticised MTUC’s special committee for allegedly failing to prioritise its key mandate under a Court of Appeal order dated Feb 21 this year.

“The committee’s mandate is clear – to organise a fresh election. It has no authority to represent MTUC or enter into negotiations with third parties,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the committee has failed to focus on this core responsibility and instead chosen to pursue its own interests,” he claimed.

No knowledge

A letter dated June 3 from Cuepacs to the ministry’s secretary-general Azman Yusof, sighted by Malaysiakini, expressed regret over the non-representation of workers as the committee had not fulfilled the court order to hold polls by May and had allegedly postponed the process to August.

When contacted, Solomon denied knowledge of any such commitment to hold the election within three months of the committee’s formation.

“I do not know who gave you that incorrect information (on the May election),” he said.

“No, not that I know of,” he added when asked to confirm the order for an election to be held in May.

Stop shifting blame

In his earlier press statement, Solomon said the ministry had registered 40 government officials and eight employer representatives for the ILC, but not a single delegate from MTUC.

He called it a clear violation of the ILO constitution, adding that MTUC has since filed a formal complaint with the ILO Credentials Committee over this serious breach.

“This year, Malaysia has also been listed among 24 countries accused of violating ILO Convention 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining).

“The Committee on the Application of Standards will be reviewing this case during the conference.

“The absence of official worker representatives from Malaysia only makes the situation worse and weakens our credibility,” Solomon added.

Rahman urged MTUC leaders to resolve the internal impasse and stop shifting blame.

“I sincerely hope MTUC, as the country’s largest workers’ organisation, can get its house in order so this situation doesn’t happen again.

“Blaming others will only worsen matters and does nothing to strengthen the labour movement,” he said.

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