RM63k raised in 2 days for ‘union-busting’ case

 

A total of 50 witnesses will be brought in from northern states lilke Penang and Perak for the landmark union-busting case against UEM Edgenta Berhad

PETALING JAYA: The National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services (NUWHSAS) has successfully raised RM62,849.30 in less than two days for its landmark industrial relations (IR) case against UEM Edgenta Berhad and its two subsidiaries.

NUWHSAS executive secretary Sarasvathy Muthu told FMT that the Jan 18-21 case against the three parties would be over allegations of union-busting, with the funds collected to be used for food, transport and accommodation for roughly 50 witnesses who would be travelling to Kuala Lumpur from states like Penang and Perak for the case.

The union’s initial target of RM39,300 on Monday, which was easily surpassed yesterday, was also meant to cover the cost of food, transport and accommodation for eight of its executive committee members and six industrial relations officers.

In addition, RM5,000 was set aside as allowances for the two industrial relations officers who will be representing the workers in court.

“We are glad that there are some generous people out there who recognise our struggle,” said Sarasvathy.

“We have 50 witnesses and we have to find a way to bear their costs for the trip.

“The union had initially been self-sufficient due to monthly subscription fees, but union-busting means that the workers are very afraid (of joining the union) and we can’t even collect the RM3 fee.”

Edgenta Mediserve manages the cleaning of public hospitals in the northern region, and its subsidiary Edgenta UEMS is one of several sub-contractors which employ workers in cleaning services.

In a statement last year, parent company UEM Edgenta Berhad denied union-busting allegations and said that an internal task force had been formed to review the union’s claims.

All three companies have been named as parties in the case.

The union is also involved in a trade dispute case with Edgenta UEMS next month – which it hopes will safeguard its collective agreement with the company – and a judicial review over the alleged wrongful dismissal of six workers in January 2020. - FMT