PERAK is aiming for 25% of its private sector workers to set up trade unions in the next five years, said state Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman Sivanesan Achalingam.

He said every worker should be able to work in a safe and healthy environment, and trade unions are in line with international conventions protecting their rights.

Sivanesan said Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad agreed to help workers in the state unionise, adding that if their employers challenge them in court, the state will provide legal aid for workers.

“I hope employers in the state will allow their workers to form unions and private sector workers to have the courage to step forward. My office will provide all the resources,” he told a media conference after officiating the state-level World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023 in Ipoh today.

He said so far, 91% or 14.6 million workers in the country have not unionised or formed a workplace union.

Sivanesan said it is not easy to establish a trade union as it requires the support of at least 51% of local employees at the workplace – an effort further complicated if there are fewer local workers than foreign ones as the latter group cannot become members. – Bernama, May 30, 2023.