Malayan Railway Corporation (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad) president Datuk Elias Kader and chairman YB Datuk Nawawi Ahmad have taken great pride in their recent union-busting action that saw, amongst others, the dismissing of the entire exco of the Railway Union of Malaya which is one of the country’s oldest unions. It is also the union that has much contributed to nation-building.
While the 41 dismissed employees of the lowest income group and their family members are going through the mental trauma of having to face uncertainties, putting a decent meal on the table, a roof over their heads and a bleak future, the president and the chairman are busy travelling around the world, dining and enjoying luxury living.
The president and the chairman have forgotten that KTMB has been surviving on tax payers’ annual contribution.
The only wrongdoing by the dismissed and suspended workers is that they exercised their rights as trade union members and picketed. During the picket, they exercised their right to communicate to the public their grouses when all attempts of consultation failed with the management.
Unfortunately, the KTMB president and chairman are more concerned with their dented ego and pride and have brutally dismissed 41 and suspended another 45 instead of applying the principles of social dialogue.
It is rather shocking that KTMB which is a government-owned company and managed using tax payers’ money has resorted to bullying tactics and has violated all the laws and International Labour Standards which were adopted by the government at the International Labour Organization.
Over the past 3 years, Malaysia has been consistently questioned for violating labour standards by the Committee for Freedom of Association at the annual International Labour Conference, and it's a pity to see how the government struggles to give assurances that it is making all attempts to ensure Malaysia complies what it has adopted and ratified.
While the government struggles to impress the international community, back home the very government-owned and -linked companies are violating the International Labour standards which places Malaysia in an embarrassing situation.
GOC and GLC should make all efforts to be exemplary to other private sector employees by conducting their business in good behaviour, otherwise it will undermine the tax payers and waste tax payers’ money.
These dismissals and suspensions are unprecedented and the first of their kind in Malaysia, which will further justify Malaysia's ranking as one of the worst employers on this planet.
The Ministry of Finance should make all efforts immediately to bring back normal lives to the affected 85 employees and their families who are victims of bullies of two appointees of the Ministry of Finance.
MTUC will continue to take all forms of necessary action until there is industrial harmony preserved in KTMB, and will not tolerate any organisation which promotes union busting as it will stifle the growth and productivity of workers for nation-building.
It is essential that all parties whether employers, employees, government agencies or courts at all times act in accordance with the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles of Rights at Work to uphold the International labour standards. – November 5, 2014.
* Solomon Sandagran is vice-president of MTUC and chairman of the MTUC Freedom Of Association Committee.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
sumber: TMI
