It was a big issue for Malaysian workers and their families (and others who were concerned with human rights and worker rights of workers and their unions) ....but the media and the Malaysian government just did not give much space or attention
MTUC, whose members only have over 800,000 workers, who is also the recognized de facto representative of the over 10 million workers in Malaysia opposed the amendment and threatened a nationwide picket on Nov 3 - but the BN government seemed not at all bothered....Neither the PM or DPM even came out with any comment - they just ignored it...
Shame on you media (where most are owned or effectively controlled by government and/or political parties that form the government) for not even covering this issue and not highlighting clearly the reasons and concerns that has resulted in a very strong protest by the workers in Malaysia and MTUC...which has also received the support of so many different groups including the ITUC...
Yesterday, there were some attempts by certain quarters to scare workers from coming out and protesting as this was not a 'trade dispute' - yes, it is not a 'trade dispute'.... It is not workers protesting against employer - but generally workers protesting against the BN government that is trying to amend labour labours to the detriment of worker and union rights... and it is a constitutional right for any person in Malaysia to protest peacefully..
“If they picket during working hours, it would be illegal and action can be taken against them by their employers for disrupting the working environment,” said Subramaniam.
“However, if workers decided to hold a peaceful gathering outside of the work place or during lunch hour, it is their fundamental right.
“A strike or picket can only be done on a trade dispute. If they picket on this particular issue, it would be against the Industrial Relations Act 1967,” added Subramaniam.- Free Malaysia Today, 1/11/2011, Don’t picket, Subra warns workers
And even today in the Star, our Minister again says '...no attempt will be made to stop the gatherings.." and suddenly the police comes out at the last minute shouting "illegal...illegal..." today - when they did not do so about this before - and mind you, everyone knew about this nationwide protest today (Nov 3) for about a month....Has our Prime Minister and the government suddenly start to get worried and have got the police to move and stop this protest...this certainly would be a slap on the face of the HR Minister...
Go ahead with your peaceful protest: Dr Subra
By JOSEPH KAOS
KUALA LUMPUR: With hours to go to the MTUC nationwide picket against employment reforms, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam said no attempt would be made to stop the gatherings.
"It is their right to protest, and in this country, we allow peaceful gatherings as long as they do not disrupt security," he said after launching the Malaysian-German conference on education and training.
"Actually what they are protesting against is a non-issue. Both parties want the same thing, which is to protect the rights of workers. Only thing is we have different ways of looking at it," he added.
The MTUC has given the assurance that its picket Thursday would be peaceful.
Secretary-general Abdul Halim Mansor said the picket, to protest the amendments to the Employment Act 1955 which was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 6, would not disrupt public order because it would be held after office hours from 5pm to 6.30pm.
He told Bernama 18 locations had been identified for the picket and that the Inspector-General of Police had been informed about it. - Star, 3/11/2011, Go ahead with your peaceful protest: Dr Subra
And, then in Malay Mail.... the government at the very last moment seem to be panicking....
PETALING JAYA: Police have declared the protest by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), scheduled for today, as illegal.
The movement had said it planned to hold a protest against the amendments to the Employment Act at 17 locations nationwide this evening.
Both the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor police, contacted by The Malay Mail yesterday, confirmed no application had been received, or a permit granted to MTUC, to hold the protest.
Police also warned that action would be taken if the action affected the movement of the public or escalated into violence.
KL deputy police chief Datuk Amar Singh said police would not hesitate to take action against the protesters if they were found to disturb the peace and disrupt traffic flow.
"The timing for the protest was set for the rush-hour of between 5pm and 6.30pm and this may cause chaos," he said.
Selangor police chief Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said his officers would monitor the situation.
"They have informed us about the protest but did not apply for a permit. Thus, it is illegal," he said.
The protest in KL and Selangor is scheduled to be held in Jalan Raja Laut (Kuala Lumpur), Jalan Barat (Petaling Jaya), Rawang, Shah Alam (near the Proton factory), Section 15 (Shah Alam), Bukit Raja, and Teluk Panglima Garang (Banting).
Earlier, Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Salleh Mat Rasid told reporters police would be considerate and allow the protest to go on if it did not pose any threat to the public and if a permit was applied for, as required under Section 27 of the Police Act 1967.
MTUC secretary-general Abdul Halim Mansor had said yesterday it would carry out the nationwide protest to ensure its discontent with the amendments made to the Employment Act was heard.- Malay Mail, 3/11/2011, MTUC protest illegal, say police
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