PETALING JAYA: The human resources ministry today denied claims by the nation’s largest labour movement and employers’ group that they were not consulted over the labour law amendments approved by the Dewan Rakyat recently.
It said the claims by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) and the Malaysian Employers’ Federation (MEF) that the amendments were “rushed” through the Lower House were “baffling”.
It dared the two groups to “tell all Malaysians which provisions of the bill (Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2019) you agree or disagree with and why”.
The ministry pointed out that it did not need the “endorsement” of the groups, adding that it had held nine meetings with them under the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) this year alone to discuss various issues, including amendments to labour legislations.
MTUC and MEF representatives were present at all nine meetings, it said in a statement in response to the groups’ call to the Dewan Negara to reject the amendments.
It said officials from the ministry, the Department of Industrial Relations and
Department of Trade Unions had also taken part in dialogues organised by MTUC to explain and obtain feedback on the proposed amendments to the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177) and the Trade Unions Act 1959.
Department of Trade Unions had also taken part in dialogues organised by MTUC to explain and obtain feedback on the proposed amendments to the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177) and the Trade Unions Act 1959.
The ministry said the International Labour Organisation Convention 144 on Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) 1976, which Malaysia had ratified in 2002, “expresses consultations and not endorsement” as claimed by MTUC and MEF.
“The key word is consultation and nowhere is it stated that we should get
endorsement of both tripartite partners.
endorsement of both tripartite partners.
“Over the years, the ministry has gone the extra mile to engage and consult with not only MEF and MTUC, but also with many other stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations,” it said.
It said the amendments had received support from many stakeholders, NGOs and activists, including the president of the Union Network International-Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC), Mohammed Shafie BP Mammal, who described them as “a positive indication” which would enhance workers’ protection in Malaysia.
The amendments had also received the support of Andrew Lo of the Sarawak MTUC, who described them as a game changer for more effective unions and a more robust industrial relations system, it said.
The ministry reminded MTUC and MEF that they had officially given their written comments on the proposed amendments to Act 177.
The email from MTUC attaching its comments, dated Jan 12, was signed by MTUC secretary-general J Solomon, it said.
It said MEF had also submitted their comments on Jan 9 and Aug 25.
“The amendments were certainly not done in a rush as claimed because the
discussions had started as early as December 2018.
discussions had started as early as December 2018.
“The draft amendments to Act 177 were presented and discussed with MTUC and MEF separately on Aug 26 at Putrajaya.
“Both MTUC and MEF’s views were taken into consideration and only a
month later, on Sept 26, was the final text of the amendments submitted to the Attorney- General’s Chambers,” it said.
month later, on Sept 26, was the final text of the amendments submitted to the Attorney- General’s Chambers,” it said.
The ministry assured all parties, including workers, that the amendments were part of a holistic review of the act moving towards conformity to international labour standards.
“This is in line with the promise by the government of Pakatan Harapan to enhance and improve workers’ protection and sustain employers’ business,” it said. - FMT
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