THE National Union of Transport Equipment and Allied Industries Workers (NUTEAIW) has slammed the government for not taking action against Hicom Automotive Manufacturers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, following the dismissal of five of its employees.

In a statement, NUTEAIW secretary-general N. Gopal Kishnam said that it is ridiculous for the Ministry of Human Resources not to enforce the law, while praising the industrial court decision as good conscience.

“NUTEAIW condemns the government, in the reply to the International Labour Organization (ILO), for defending the problematic industrial court decision as “equity, good conscience and substantial merits”.

“The ILO’s committee on freedom of association has ruled that the dismissal of five unionists from Hicom due to their participation in a union meeting violated their freedom of association and amounted to intimidation.

“The ILO said that workers have the right to hold meetings as long as they remain peaceful and do not obstruct the management from entering the company premises.

“On the other hand, employers are required to exercise great restraint in interfering with the activities of trade unions.

“Yet, the ministry took no action to prosecute the company. How ridiculous, when the ministry failed to enforce the law and yet praised the erroneous industrial court decision as good conscience,” Gopal said.

Speaking further, Gopal said the government must mediate between NUTEAIW and Hicom to explore possible solutions.

He then urged the government to ensure that workers and their union leaders can organise activities or meetings without retaliation.

“We are ready to meet with the government, Hicom and other stakeholders to facilitate the workers’ reinstatement.

“From issuing warnings to workers not to join the union briefing with a threat that they would face disciplinary action to dismissing the five NUTEAIW unionists, Hicom has clearly violated section 5(1)(d) of the Industrial Relations Act, which states that no employer shall dismiss a workman by reason that the workman participates in the promotion, formation or activities of a trade union.

“With the ruling of the ILO, it is time for the Ministry of Human Resources to right the wrong, provide assistance to reinstate the workers and take stern action against the company,” he added. – August 15, 2022.