Labour group nudges gov't to ratify convention on right to organise

The Labour Law Reform Coalition (LLRC) has nudged Putrajaya to ratify Convention 87 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) which guarantees the freedom of association and protection of the right to organise.

"We have not seen any major changes (from the government). To date, there is nothing concrete from their side," LLRC chairperson N Gopal Krishnam told a press conference in Petaling Jaya today.

He said the right to organise is important to protect vulnerable workers such as foreign labour, contract workers and women.

Meanwhile, former Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general G Rajasekaran, who is part of the LLRC, said there was a meeting with Human Resource Minister M Kulasegaran on amending laws to conform with Convention 87.

However, he claimed that the issue of many employees being unprepared to accept the convention was raised.

"Therefore, we are having a meeting today where the majority of unions have accepted the resolution to ratify Convention 87," Rajasekaran said.

The LLRC, like MTUC, comprise a collection of unions but also comprises other entities.

It is seen as a rival to MTUC amid disagreements over issues but Gopal dismissed this.

"As I have said, apart from workers' unions, NGOs and public individuals are also involved in LLRC.

"I do not want to touch on the MTUC election," he said.

The MTUC had come under pressure since June when the government abstained on an ILO treaty intended to protect workers from violence and harassment.

Kulasegaran said the government abstained so as not to be in conflict with the MTUC and Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) which he said had "strong opposition towards the convention". 

MTUC president Abdul Halim Mansor had said the organisation was subjected to unfair criticisms for the vote. 

"I wish to state that the MTUC’s vote on C190 in Geneva was due to certain misconceptions, which at this point, I am not at liberty to elaborate," he added. - Mkini