THE government lacks solid planning in its supposed move to recognise workers’ right to unionise, labour activists said.

They said that past governments, including the previous Pakatan Harapan administration, had been talking about this for years but there had been no concrete action, following the Human Resources Ministry’s announcement it would amend the process of recognising workers’ unions.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), known for its position on workers’ rights, shot down the latest proposal from the ministry.

PSM deputy chairman S. Arutchelvan said that the previous Pakatan Harapan government had promised to increase unionisation to 30% of the workforce but that did not materialise.

If the government is truly serious about protecting workers’ rights and welfare, it can start by implementing automatic unionisation, Arutchelvan said.

“Make it automatic, no need for approval from employers because they will make it hard to allow unions to be formed.

“(The subject of) unionisation is not new but, to date, we have not seen a proper plan,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

On May 1, Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar said unionisation would be given due attention, because there are employers who refuse to recognise unions.

“That makes it difficult for employees to fight for their rights,” he said in his speech at a festival organised by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) on the eve of Labour Day.

At the same time, Sivakumar said the government was also studying for private sector pensions, employment guarantees, workers health scheme and insurance, and the welfare of migrant workers.

However, Arutchelvan was dismissive of the government’s ability to solve the private-sector pension problem, adding that the government lacks the ability.

He used the contract doctors dispute as a prime example, as well as those for security guards and cleaners working in the public sector.

“At PSM, we have urged the government to accept cleaners and security guards hired by subcontractors to be folded into the civil service, but we were told that this would increase cost.

“The same goes with the contract doctors, an issue that has not been dealt with. We are urging the government to pay attention to the gig economy.

“There needs to be an amendment in the Employment Act to protect gig workers. If needs be, improvise Socso where workers are covered 24 hours a day rather than the current policy.

“We can accept a rise in the contribution as long as workers are covered,” he said.

Arutchelvan also said minimum wage was another important matter.

“The cost of living is getting higher but salaries are still an issue, especially for the urban poor. Minimum wage is a problem that has still not been solved,” he added.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has promised to bring minimum wage up in with the cabinet next month, with a view to finalise a once-and-for-all solution.

However, he was reported to have said that there were difficulties.

The minimum wage order came into effect on May 1, 2022, for all companies with at least five employees, stipulating workers be paid at least RM1,500.

For employers with fewer than five employees, implementation has been postponed until July 1 this year.

End forced labour

North South Initiative executive director Adrian Pereira said the government should encourage more unionisation, while adding that more reforms are needed to end forced labour.

“Automatic union membership must be given to workers and the government must encourage more unions to be formed.

“With solid leadership, a union and a company can negotiate collective bargaining and the benefit would be good for both.

“This is also part of freedom of association, a reform PH has fought for, for many years,” he said.

He added a strong union would also curb abuse of migrant workers.

“If we don’t solve forced labour issues, we won’t be able to solve other problems. Some employers prefer to hire one migrant worker rather than to pay locals because with migrant workers, they are forced to work long hours, without a day off, on weekends and a cheap salary.

“A union can solve the issue of forced labour and would allow the union to ask the employer why migrants are hired when there is room for locals,” he said. – May 8, 2023.