Saturday, September 06, 2014

112 KTMB workers terminated? Why? For a Union organised picket?

112 Railway employees SACKED? Railwaymen’s Union of Malaya (RUM) president and his Deputy sacked? And, it looks like there was not even a Domestic Inquiry - a right for workers accussed of a misconduct by the employer to defend themselves?

Furthermore, what is this all about - because the workers participated in a picket organized by their UNION? And in Malaysia, workers have a right to picket, and even go on a strike...

So, this termination of the 112 is wrong - but will there be justice? Well, workers can file a complaint at the Industrial Relations Department claiming reinstatement by reason of wrongful dismissal. Then, if the conciliation process does not work. The case is referred to the Minister, who then MAY refer the matter to the Industrial Court, and then the case starts... but alas, it takes a long time...several years and at the end of the day, nowadays even if the Industrial Court finds that the it was a wrongful dismissal - the court is most likely going to order compensation in lieu of reinstatement(thanks to an amendment of the law, this would not be more than 24 months baackwages...) 

So at the end of the day, this is not JUSTICE...and so easily employers can terminate Union leaders and those workers who even try to fight for justice... so wrong...so wrong. 

Now, the Railway workers will all be filled with fear...and without their leaders, more likely than not...they will be 'silenced'...no more struggling for rights...no more pickets and protest. We already see that unlike other countries, which would have seen a massive protests by the Union and workers --- things are 'silent' after the dismissal of the Union President and 111 fellow workers... 

Can we sit back, and allow this? Union Busting? ...


3:57PM Sep 3, 2014

KTMB sacks top unionists over picket

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) has sacked two top unionists  over involvement in May 9 picket urging the resignation of KTMB president Elias Kadir due to poor performance.

Railwaymen’s Union of Malaya (RUM) president Abdul Razak Md Hassan (left) said 110 other KTMB staff were also sacked for the same reason.

Abdul Razak and his deputy received termination letters last Friday.


“My deputy and I were sacked without notice effective immediately on Aug 29. The letter was issued to us on Aug 29 and I was sacked the same day,” he said when contacted.

 
According to Abdul Razak, the management’s “union-busting” measure breaches Section 4 of the Industrial Relations Act.

 
“It was the union which arranged the picket, so why take action against the workers? Elias’ actions are wrong.

 
“It is as if he is trying to kill the union. What laws are they using? This is law of the jungle, not national legislation,” he said.

 
Abdul Razak said that he had lodged a complaint with the Industrial Relations Department and is awaiting a hearing.

 
“We will do all we can to oppose Elias who we feel is acting like a dictator,” he stressed. - Malaysiakini, 3/9/2014,
KTMB sacks top unionists over picket
 

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