THE Human Resources Ministry today said it is ready to help the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) to resolve its suspension by the Registrar of Societies (RoS).

“If MTUC’s leadership is in need of the ministry’s help to reason out matters with the RoS or the Home Ministry, our doors are always open,” said the ministry in a statement.

The ministry said it is concerned with the welfare of the more than 500,000 workers represented by the umbrella union following the suspension.

“The ministry views the recent suspension of the MTUC by RoS very seriously.

“On this backdrop, the ministry is willing to work and assist the MTUC in resolving its matters with the Home Ministry and RoS particularly in safeguarding the rights and interests of the estimated half a million workers that it represents,” the ministry said.

The ministry said the MTUC, being a main umbrella body for trade unions in Malaysia, has a historical role in safeguarding the rights of workers in Malaysia.

It added that any prolonged suspension of MTUC will affect workers who rely on MTUC’s assistance.

Yesterday, the RoS said it has suspended MTUC following a probe into complaints about its management.

ROS said it received complaints on July 2, alleging poor management of the MTUC. It said a suspension is in effect to prevent the organisation from continuing to violate its rules.

The MTUC is given 30 days from the date of notice to explain why it should not be deregistered, it said. The notice was issued on December 18, said RoS.

Earlier today MTUC president Abdul Halim Mansor was reported as saying that it will “fight to the end” to ensure it is not deregistered.

“MTUC will do all it can to ensure the organisation, set up in 1949, will fight to the end and die standing for the sake of the workers,” he said Halim.

He added said MTUC has sent all relevant documents to the RoS and was shocked to learn of the RoS notice. – December 21, 2019.