MTUC stands by claim HR Ministry blocking workers' voices

Summary

• MTUC joint special committee chairman J Solomon doubles down on claims that Human Resources Minister Steven Sim misused government resources to exclude workers’ representatives.

• Solomon accuses Sim of avoiding scrutiny over labour law violations at International Labour Organisation meet.

• He also insists MTUC has the authority to nominate the workers’ delegation.

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has doubled down on its accusations against the Human Resources Ministry regarding an allegedly incomplete delegation representing workers at an international forum.

MTUC joint special committee chairperson J Solomon claimed that Human Resources Minister Steven Sim is misusing government machinery, including the Attorney-General’s Chambers, to “cover his mischief”.

“The fact remains that the minister has failed to ensure that Malaysian workers’ representatives were registered at the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC),” Solomon said in a statement today.

“The entire conduct of the minister was to avoid a report on the analysis of Malaysian labour laws pointing out anti-union discrimination and other failures that are in violation of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention 98 from being discussed at the ILC.”

He also asserted that if Sim were “sincere” in wanting to ensure workers’ representation at the ILC, the minister would have contacted the MTUC joint special committee as soon as it received the invitation from the ILO.

“The minister did not do so then, but is giving excuses now,” Solomon said.

“Instead of focusing on what the important issues are for Malaysia in this ILC - to improve the labour laws for better industrial relations and national development - (Sim’s) attention is on denying MTUC its rightful place in the ILC,” he alleged.

Earlier this week, Solomon had made similar claims against the ministry.

‘No right to appoint’

Yesterday, the Human Resources Ministry insisted that the MTUC joint special committee has no right to appoint delegates to represent workers at international forums.

It added that the committee cannot make policy decisions, and was set up specifically to hold an election for MTUC leadership.

It also said the committee’s nominations to the ILC are beyond the powers granted by the court and were objected to by several MTUC members.

The ministry said this after questions were raised about the absence of worker representatives in Malaysia’s delegation to the ILC, which is being held from June 2-13 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The delegation normally comprises a tripartite of representatives for workers, employers, and the government.

Attempt to mislead

Accusing Sim of attempting to “mislead” the public by disputing MTUC’s leadership, Solomon today cautioned Sim against intervening in its affairs.

“The MTUC election to be held on Aug 2 and 3 is already in motion and progressing well.

“The minister has no business to decide on the MTUC leadership or interfere in the affairs and administration of MTUC,” he added.

He also insisted that the ILO constitution requires the MTUC to nominate the workers’ delegation, while the minister’s duty is “merely” to deposit the names of the workers’ delegates submitted by the MTUC.

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