Latest news with #MTUC
Borneo Post
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
JSC defends MTUC authority amid claims of leadership void
J Solomon – Photo via Facebook KUCHING (June 8): The Joint Special Committee (JSC) has asserted its position as the legitimate leadership of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), rejecting claims by the Human Resources Minister that the congress lacks leadership. JSC chairman J Solomon stated that the minister must be held accountable for Malaysia's failure to send a complete workers' delegation to the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC), a significant event under the International Labour Organisation (ILO). 'MTUC is the most widely represented organisation of workers in Malaysia,' said Solomon. 'As required by the ILO Constitution, MTUC is responsible for nominating the workers' delegation whilst the minister's role is to submit the names provided by MTUC,' he said in a statement yesterday. He stressed that the minister had no authority to interfere in MTUC's internal affairs, particularly as the organisation is already in in the process of holding elections scheduled for August 2 and 3. Solomon added that Malaysia's credibility at the ILO is at stake, especially since Malaysia is shortlisted for discussions on the implementation of Convention 98, which relates to workers' rights and anti-union discrimination. He further charged that the minister had failed to ensure that Malaysian workers representatives were registered at the ILC, adding that the entire conduct of the minister was an attempt to prevent criticism over Malaysia's labour laws shortcomings from being aired at the international stage. 'If the minister was sincere in wanting to ensure that Malaysian workers are to be represented at the ILC, he would have reached out to the JSC after receiving the ILO invitation,' Solomon said. 'Instead, the minister chose to do nothing but offer excuses, and it is now clear that he is misusing the entire government machinery including the Attorney General's Chambers to 'cover his mischief',' he added. 'Malaysia needs a strong and full tripartite representation at the ILC. Yet, instead of focusing on urgent labour reforms, the minister seems to be denying MTUC its rightful place in the ILC.'
Free Malaysia Today
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
MTUC challenges ministry's stand on ILO conference representation
MTUC joint special committee chairman J Solomon said the congress's internal election process is under way and progressing well. PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has criticised the human resources ministry after it said the non-representation of workers at the recently concluded International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva was caused by the absence of legitimate leadership in MTUC. In a statement, MTUC alleged the ministry was trying to 'mislead the public'. 'It is undisputed that the current leadership of MTUC is the joint special committee,' said J Solomon, the chairman of the committee. He clarified that MTUC's internal election process — scheduled for Aug 2 and 3, 2025 — is under way and progressing well. The nation's largest labour union has effectively been without a working committee after a High Court ruling in 2023 declared the triennial election held a year earlier was null and void, triggering an extended internal dispute. In February, the Court of Appeal consented to an agreement to set up a joint special committee to run MTUC and hold a fresh election within 90 days. MTUC will hold its triennial election at a special delegates conference in early August to resolve the impasse.
Focus Malaysia
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
MTUC slams Steven Sim over fiasco of workers' representation at ILC Geneva
THE Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has escalated criticism of Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, accusing him of misusing government resources to exclude MTUC from the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, June 2-13, 2025. MTUC's J Solomon claims Sim deliberately blocked worker representation to avoid scrutiny of Malaysia's labor laws, which allegedly violate ILO Convention 98. '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. According to the MTUC, the minister's actions were designed to sidestep scrutiny of Malaysia's labor laws, which the report allegedly highlights as flawed, particularly in terms of anti-union discrimination and other shortcomings. Additionally, Solomon asserted that if Sim were 'sincere' in wanting to ensure workers' representation at the ILC, the minister would have contacted the MTUC as soon as it received the invitation from the ILO. 'The minister did not do so then, but is giving excuses now. 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, his attention is on denying MTUC its rightful place in the ILC,' he alleged. In response, the ministry argues the MTUC joint special committee lacks authority to appoint delegates, a stance Solomon calls misleading and intrusive. —June 8, 2025 Main image: J Soloman (Facebook)
Borneo Post
08-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
MTUC Sarawak urges Petronas to prioritise worker welfare during retrenchment
Zaidi Nasar KUCHING (June 8): The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Sarawak has urged Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) to prioritise workers' well-being and conduct the retrenchment process responsibly. In a statement today, Its chairman Zaidi Nasar emphasised that workers are vital assets to the country's economy and their well-being must be given priority. He suggested that Petronas and the government offer new skills training to help workers transition into other industries such as green energy, digital technology and entrepreneurship. Zaidi also proposed temporary financial assistance through social protection schemes such as Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) to help workers during this transition. 'Petronas can collaborate with other companies in the energy industry to assist in the relocation of workers through job matching and specialised training,' he said. Recognising the stress retrenchment can cause, he added, 'Psychological support and counseling should be provided through government or employer programmes.' This statement was issued in response to Petronas' decision to retrench about 5,000 workers, mostly those on contract, as part of its restructuring measures. Zaidi highlighted that retrenched workers face uncertainty in securing new employment, especially in an increasingly competitive industry. He stressed that Petronas and the government must ensure that affected workers receive compensation in accordance with the Employment Act 1955 or Collective Agreement, including notice pay, termination benefits, payment of annual leave balance and balance of wages, if any. Employers, he noted, are required to provide adequate notice of termination as stipulatedin the service contract or the Employment Act 1955. Furthermore, he said that trade unions must be involved in negotiations to ensure that workers receive appropriate protection and assistance. 'The government must provide various initiatives such as retraining programmes and financial assistance to workers affected by retrenchment,' he added. Zaidi said MTUC Sarawak will continue to work toward ensuring that workers' rights are protected and finding the best way to address retrenchment issues. lead Malaysian Trades Union Congress Petronas retrenchment Zaidi Nasar
Malay Mail
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
MTUC says human resources minister responsible for incomplete Malaysian delegation to International Labour Conference, denies leadership void
KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) today accused the human resources minister of misleading the public and interfering in the union's internal affairs, amid controversy surrounding Malaysia's participation in the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC). In a strongly worded statement, MTUC said the minister had no authority to claim the organisation lacked leadership, asserting that the current leadership lies with the Joint Special Committee, which was established by a Court of Appeal order in February this year. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong was singled out by MTUC as being responsible for what it called a failure to ensure proper representation of Malaysian workers at the ILC. 'The minister should be held responsible for the failure of an incomplete Malaysian delegation to the ILC,' MTUC said. 'The MTUC is the most represented organisation of workers in Malaysia. As required by the International Labour Organisation's Constitution, the MTUC is responsible for nominating the workers' delegation, while the minister's duty is merely to deposit the names submitted by MTUC.' MTUC added that preparations for its upcoming leadership elections, scheduled for August 2 and 3, were progressing well and dismissed any suggestion of a leadership vacuum. It also accused the minister of misusing government machinery, including the Attorney General's Chambers, to cover his alleged misconduct. The union noted that Malaysia has been shortlisted for discussion at the ILC regarding its compliance with Convention 98, which concerns the right to organise and bargain collectively. MTUC criticised the minister for failing to ensure that Malaysian workers' representatives were properly registered at the ILC, accusing him of attempting to avoid scrutiny of the country's labour laws, particularly concerning anti-union discrimination. 'If indeed, the minister was sincere in wanting to ensure that workers are represented at the ILC, he would have contacted and discussed with the Joint Special Committee as soon as the invitation from the ILO was received,' MTUC said. The union stressed the importance of having a complete and robust tripartite delegation at the ILC to advance labour reforms and national development, instead of sidelining MTUC's role.
