For full statement, see
54 groups and unions:- Malaysian Airlines Must Respect Trade Union and Worker Rights Cease Anti-Union activities against NUFAM and its members
Malaysia Airlines unfairly targeting union members, says rights coalition
In
a statement, the coalition said the airline is violating worker and
trade union rights by taking disciplinary action against members of the
National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (NUFAM) for holding a
protest against MAS’s move to invalidate the group via the courts. —
Reuters pic KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 — Members of an employee
union at Malaysia Airlines (MAS) are being singled out unfairly ahead of
a key court hearing on the loss-making national carrier’s attempt to
dissolve the group, a coalition of rights and workers groups claimed
today.
In a statement, the coalition said the airline is violating worker and
trade union rights by taking disciplinary action against members of the
National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (NUFAM) for holding a
protest against MAS’s move to invalidate the group via the courts.
“It is suspected that the timing of these recent actions by MAS may
have been because the MAS’s judicial review at the High Court
challenging the recognition accorded by the Minister to NUFAM was fixed
for February 18, 2014, which now has been adjourned to March 27, 2014.
“Taking into consideration all these actions of MAS, it is difficult
not to come to the perception that MAS is on a ‘union-busting’ mission,
which also includes persecution of Union leadership and those active in
NUFAM,” spokespersons for the 52 organisations said in a joint
statement.
The airline could not be reached for comment.
In August last year, the director-general of Industrial Relations
(DGIR) conducted a secret ballot which involved all qualified employees,
and NUFAM succeeded in getting 62.73 per cent of the votes, making the
group a recognised union.
But MAS later challenged the decision and filed for a judicial review in the High Court.
"MAS also allegedly applied for an interim stay order thus depriving
NUFAM the ability to move forward towards a Collective Bargaining
Agreement (CBA),” the statement said.
A crackdown on NUFAM members followed, including the unfair sacking of
the union’s president because he made a statement urging the prime
minister to review the position of the current MAS chief executive, the
statement claimed.
“No worker, group of workers or unions should be barred from making
public statements to the media or otherwise in the struggle for worker
rights and human rights.
“This right is clearly acknowledged in the Declaration on the Right and
Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote
and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental
Freedoms, commonly known today as the UN Human Rights Defender
Declaration,” it added.
MAS suspended 10 NUFAM members in December last year but later reversed
the decision. However, one Farahtina Kassim, probably the strongest
critic of the company, remained suspended and was later sacked.
The national carrier issued show cause letters to 30 NUFAM members last
month. It eventually sacked three along with Farahtina on February 14.
MAS claimed the action was taken due to staff involvement in an
“illegal gathering”, a reference to the November picket, but the
coalition backing NUFAM members have challenged the accusation.
It pointed out that the punitive actions were taken without providing recourse for justice.
“Being convicted of serious crimes may be a basis for commencement of
misconduct, but here there seem to have been no arrest, investigation or
even prosecution at all,” said the group.
It added that MAS had failed to observe international labour and human rights standards. - Malay Mail, 3/2/2014, Malaysia Airlines unfairly targeting union members, says rights coalition
See also Malaysian Digest
See also Malaysian Digest
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