THE Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) should not claim that the government never consulted it over amendments to the Industrial Relations Act, said Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran.

This is because the government had held sufficient meetings and stakeholder engagements before tabling the amendments, he said.

“On record, we have conducted nine National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) meetings this year and technical committee meetings since January. 

“We have also conducted meetings and stakeholder engagement with various parties,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Although, the government is only required to have two meetings a year, the new government has been holding monthly tripartite consultations since taking over last year, he added.

Public consultations on the Act have also been held since December.

The ministry also consulted state governments, excos, Human Right Commission, International Labour Organisation, Malaysian Bar and civil society groups, he said.

“As such, it is unfortunate that such an irresponsible statement was issued when effective consultation started in January and has continued for nine months.”

The minister was responding to MTUC secretary-general J. Solomon’s claim that the group was not consulted over the labour law reforms.

The government had tabled the amendment bill for first reading in Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

“Solomon does not have the right to make wild accusations just because he did not get what he demanded for. 

“One holding such a post representing workers should always hold himself in proper decorum.

“Let me ask Solomon, how many NLAC meetings have he had under the previous government since 2012?

“Our records show, four times in 2012, once in 2013, twice in 2014, once in 2015, once in 2016 and once in 2017.

“Why was he silent then?” said Kulasegaran. – October 9, 2019.