Unions aligned with the Labour Law Reform Coalition are moving to establish a new trade federation, following the recent temporary dissolution of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).
According to Gopal Kishnam Nadesan, who is affiliated with the National Union of Transport Equipment and Allied Industry Workers (NUTEAIW), the proposed body known as the Malaysian Federation of Trade Unions (MFTU) has already set up a pro-tem committee.
In a statement today, he said MFTU is expecting to fulfil the full legal requirements for its registration by the end of July, after which a founding congress will be convened before the end of the year.
On May 7, the Registrar of Societies (ROS) issued MTUC a temporary dissolution order over its failure to submit several requested documents and financial records.
The notice stated that MTUC had not complied with an April 6 written directive, requiring copies of statements on receipts and payments, audited balance sheets for 2020-2025, as well as a list of financial contributions, assets, funds, or benefits received from foreign parties during the same period.
The ROS added that if no appeal is submitted within 30 days or if MTUC’s appeal is rejected, the temporary dissolution order would be deemed final, with MTUC then being declared an unlawful association.
Established in 1949, MTUC is regarded as Malaysia’s oldest national union representing Malaysian workers.
Commenting on the action taken by the ROS, Gopal, who is MFTU’s pro-tem secretary-general, cautioned that the matter carries serious implications for the Malaysian labour movement as workers stand to lose a vital platform of representation.
He said the collective voice of workers risks being weakened in labour-related policy discussions, among others.
“At this critical moment, Malaysian workers deserve a renewed sense of hope - one that is progressive, inclusive, and firmly committed to defending workers’ rights and dignity.
“Workers need a functioning and independent organisation that can consistently champion the fundamental rights of workers, advance the decent work agenda, promote fair remuneration, as well as advocate for safer and healthier workplaces for all,” he said.
Strengthening workers for a united future
He also said MFTU aspires to build a broad-based, cross-sectoral federation representing workers across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak, to be registered under the Trade Union Act 1969.
It also intends to strengthen workers and trade unions through various initiatives such as capacity building, campaigns and collaboration on labour rights, as well as digital unionism.
Besides supporting policy research and publications, MFTU’s pro-tem committee members have previously highlighted union-busting issues during international representation and engagement sessions, while also extending solidarity and cooperation to worker struggles in other nations.
“We call upon trade unions and workers who share the vision of a democratic, progressive, and united labour movement to join us in this important effort.
“This is a sincere call for renewal and a new beginning for the Malaysian labour movement. Together, let us build a stronger, more united, and forward-looking future for all workers in Malaysia,” Gopal added.
Among the unions represented in the pro-tem committee are the Sarawak Bank Employees Union (SBEU), the National Union of Seafarers Peninsular Malaysia (NUSPM), the Sabah Medical Services Union (SMSU), the Sarawak Bank Employees Union (SBEU), and the Malayan Nurses Union (MNU).
Andrew Lo, who is from the SBEU, heads the MFTU’s pro-tem committee as its president, followed by Ikmal Azam Thanaraj from the NUSPM as deputy president.
SMSU president Ajulahin Japin, SBEU deputy president Joseph Kong, MNU president Saaidah Athman, and Electronics Industry Employees’ Union Northern Region (EIEUNR) president Razi Rahim are vice-presidents.
They each represent Sabah, Sarawak, the public sector, and the private sector, respectively.
Other unions involved in the MFTU represent workers in the fields of printing, timber, paper and paper products manufacturing, as well as the service industry. - Mkini
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