FORMER Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) president Zainal Rampak has passed away Sinar Harian reports.

The 84-year-old veteran union man is said to have passed away at 2am at his home in USJ, Subang Jaya, Selangor.

Zainal’s demise was confirmed by current MTUC president Effendy Abdul Ghani.

MTUC secretary-general, Kamarul Baharin Mansor said, during almost two decades of leading the union, he had fought a lot for the welfare of workers in Malaysia.

“He was also given the title of ‘Father of Malaysian Workers’ on May 1, 1997. It is with sadness that we announce that Zainal Rampak, a respected and valued trade union figure, has passed away this morning.

“His passing is a great loss for the trade union movement and the entire working community.

“Part of his life was fighting for the well-being and improving the living standards of the working class. His contribution will continue to be remembered and appreciated by all who know him,” he said in the Malay-language daily.

The late Zainal had served as MTUC President from 1986 to 2004, as well as being a member of the International Labor Organization (ILO) board of directors from 2000 to 2004.

He has also held the position of Secretary General of the Transport Workers’ Union from 1994 until now.

His leadership also went beyond national borders when he was appointed as the Chairman of the International Transport Workers Federation for the Asia Pacific region from 2001 to 2009.

The deceased was also appointed as a Senator from December 1998 until 2005. - July 4, 2024.