3 November, 2011Thousands of workers led by the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) picketed across the nation to protest against the amendment to the labour laws.
MALAYSIA: The recent amendment to the Employment Act 1955, which legalises contractors for the supply of labour, drew widespread protest among workers in Malaysia. This amendment would open the flood gates for the contract employment and out-sourcing of jobs in the private sector. Despite strong objection from the MTUC and opposition law makers, the government bulldozed this amendment, thereby legalising the contract system of work.
Picketing to protest against the government's action was held in eighteen locations around the country. Workers from major industrial areas took part in the peaceful picket. According to the statement issued by MTUC this amendment would drive workers into precarious employment and exploitation. Such employment is akin to "slave labour", they claimed.
IMF General Secretary Jyrki Raina in a letter dated November 2, 2011 to the Malaysian Prime Minister, expressed serious concern over the amendments which legalise the contract labour system. He said that the amendments would adversely affect permanent and gainful employment, thus impeding and affecting socio-economic development of workers and their communities. Further, it would also undermine the growth of unions, stifle collective bargaining rights of workers and overall, curtail trade union rights.
He called on the government to withdraw the amendments to the Employment Act 1955 and engage in meaningful negotiations with the MTUC to reach an amicable resolution to this dispute.