MTUC says lost confidence in minister Subramaniam, wants Najib to intervene

Erosion of worker and trade union rights in Malaysia is done by the Barisan Nasional government, under the leadership of PM Najib. It is the PM who has absolute power in who he choses to be in his cabinet and who he makes Minister, so to just blame the Minister, and not the PM and the government is odd. In Malaysia, I believe no Act will be tabled, or policy made without the full blessing and approval of the Prime Minister. A loss of confidence in a Minister as such is a loss of confidence on the PM and the ruling BN government.

Let's not forget the BN MPs and Senators, who supported the amendment and no one came out with even a personal differing view.  

 

 

MTUC says lost confidence in minister, wants Najib to intervene

By Farhan Darwis

February 28, 2012

 

SUBANG JAYA, Feb 28 — The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) said today it had lost confidence in the human resource minister, and urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to intervene over controversial labour law amendments it claims will bring back slavery.

 

MTUC said today it had no confidence in the ability of Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam (picture) to handle their complaints over changes to the Employment Act 1955. The changes to the law will see official recognition for third-party labour providers.

Last October, the Dewan Rakyat passed the contentious amendments to the law, which MTUC claimed would “bring back slavery” and erode protection for workers as employers will no longer be directly responsible for the welfare of their employees.

The MTUC had previously warned Najib that the votes of 5.7 million workers “could decide matters” in a general election.

MTUC president Khalid Atan told reporters today at its headquarters here that it appeared as if Subramaniam saw this problem as petty and was not serious in finding a solution.

“MTUC announced that we have lost confidence in the leadership of the minister who does not take employees’ problems seriously.

“So, MTUC has come together to set up an action committee to organise an assembly as a protest against the minister,” he said.

According to Khalid, if the employees’ future was not protected the union would eventually lose its purpose.

“We have already protested but it is as if the government does not care about the union’s complaints. In fact, we have repeatedly sent letters to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak but no action has been taken until today.

“MTUC wants the prime minister to listen to the union’s complaints, not sideline employees as if they do not exist; if you can listen to others, entertain them, why not to MTUC?” he asked. - Malaysian Insider, 28/2/2012, MTUC says lost confidence in minister, wants Najib to intervene

MTUC ‘lost confidence in Dr Subra’

G Vinod | February 28, 2012

The union now wants the prime minister to resolve all matters affecting workers.

 

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) today declared that it has lost confidence in Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam.

The MTUC wants Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to directly resolve issues affecting workers’ rights, including the recent amendment made in the Employment Act 1955 and the sacking of two of Maybank’s staff.

Among the affiliates present in support of MTUC’s stand were the National Union of Banking Employees (NUBE) and the Government Linked Companies (GLC) Union Associations.

About 50 MTUC members were present including NUBE secretary-general J Solomon and GLC Union Associations president Mohd Shafie BP Mammal.

Solomon said the MTUC had submitted a letter yesterday voicing its lack of faith in Subramaniam to the Prime Minister’s Department.

The letter was signed by MTUC president Khalid Atan and its secretary-general Halim Mansor.

“The reason we lost confidence in Subramaniam is because of his lackadaisical attitude in dealing with issues involving workers,” said Solomon.

Last year, Subramaniam received brickbats from the MTUC when he tabled a controversial amendment to the Employment Act 1955.

The MTUC claimed that amendment would further erode workers’ right as it would allow third party to employ workers.

Nationwide rally

The minister also courted NUBE’s anger when Subramaniam was said to have failed to curb Maybank from establishing an in-house union, Mayneu, which NUBE claimed would provoke industrial disharmony.

Solomon said that Subramaniam had also ignored NUBE’s complaints over Maybank’s decision to dismiss two of its staff for participating in trade union activity.

“We have sent about six letter and had three meetings with Subramaniam since last year but he never took any action,” claimed Solomon.

Last month, Maybank terminated the employment of NUBE vice-president Abdul Jamil Jalaludeen and its honorary treasurer Chen Ka Fatt, for holding a banner that carried the word “Maybank robs poor Malaysian workers” in Geneva, Switzerland, last year.

Abdul Jamil was employed at the Maybank branch of Pulau Tikus, Penang, while Chen served at the Maybank branch at Ipoh Garden, Perak.

On what MTUC’s next course of action would be should its calls go unanswered, Solomon said MTUC may hold a nationwide rally to voice its dissatisfaction.

“We have already appointed a committee to organise the rally. It will decide on the day and venue soon,” he said.Subramanian could not be reached for his comments.- Free Malaysia Today, 28/2/2012, MTUC ‘lost confidence in Dr Subra’