Latest news with #J.Solomon
The Star
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
No MTUC rep at International Labour Congress due to internal crisis, says source
PETALING JAYA: The internal leadership crisis within the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) is said to be the reason why there are no representatives from the congress at the 113th International Labour Congress (ILC), in Geneva, Switzerland. According to a source, this technical issue allows the special joint committee (JBK) to carry out elections, but it cannot represent MTUC or negotiate with any third party. The source also said the JBK was supposed to bring forward the election to May, but it was postponed until August. As a result, for the first time in history, no union representatives were allowed to attend the ILC. However, the source also said that J. Solomon, who is the MTUC Joint Special Committee chairman had no authority to issue any statement on behalf of the congress. In February this year, the MTUC said it had dismissed its president, Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani, over allegations of misconduct. The decision was made during a meeting on Jan 19 after MTUC's disciplinary committee presented its investigation findings and deliberated on the matter. On Tuesday (June 3), Solomon expressed shock and dismay at Human Resources Minister Steven Sim's decision to exclude them from the ILC, which is the official workers' representative, from the Malaysian delegation. In a statement, he said this exclusion is a "clear violation" of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Constitution, which mandates full tripartite representation involving government, employers, and workers. 'For the first time this year, the ministry has failed to include MTUC, the official representative of workers, in the official Malaysian delegation. 'This action is very embarrassing for Malaysia and the ministry officials, especially when Malaysia is the Asean chairman. 'The ministry has registered 40 government officials and eight employer representatives, but there is not a single representative from MTUC at this conference. This is a violation of the ILO Constitution, which requires full tripartite representation,' he said. MTUC has filed an official complaint with the ILO Credentials Committee regarding this serious violation, Solomon added. The MTUC further alleged that the ministry received the ILO invitation on Feb 25, and while it forwarded the invitation to the Malaysian Employers Federation, it ignored repeated requests from the congress. Despite this, the MTUC managed to gather nominations from four affiliates and submitted the names to the ministry on May 9. 'This year, Malaysia was also listed among 24 countries accused of violating ILO Convention 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining). The Committee on the Application of Standards will examine this case during this session. 'The absence of official workers' representatives from Malaysia only worsens the situation and weakens our country's credibility on the international platform. 'This has never happened in the history of Malaysia, where a Minister has excluded workers' representatives from such an important tripartite international platform,' Solomon said. The MTUC has called Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to intervene immediately and instruct his Cabinet minister to respect international obligations. They argued that Malaysian workers, as taxpayers, deserve proper representation at the ILC.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
MTUC gears up for special delegates conference in August
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) is set to host its Special Delegates Conference (SDC) on August 2 and 3 in Shah Alam. Currently, the MTUC's operations are overseen by a Joint Special Committee (JSC). This committee was established through a Court Consent Order, resolving a dispute that had nullified the previously elected office bearers. The JSC's mandate includes managing the MTUC's administration and organizing the upcoming SDC. JSC chairman, J. Solomon, announced that all affiliated unions have been asked to submit their delegate lists, proposed motions, and nominations for principal officials by June 12, 2025. Notices have been dispatched via mail and are also being publicized through the press to ensure broad and timely distribution. Solomon urged all stakeholders to support the JSC as it fulfills its responsibilities leading up to the August 3 conference. Affiliates needing assistance during this period are encouraged to contact JSC members, MTUC staff, or industrial relations practitioners.
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
NUBE stages peaceful protest at Human Resources ministry
PETALING JAYA: On Labour Day, a significant gathering of bank employees from across Malaysia took place in front of the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) in Putrajaya. The peaceful demonstration, which ran from 10am to 1pm, was organised by the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) under the theme 'Voice of the Voiceless'. The core demand of the rally was the restoration of trade union rights, which NUBE contends are being undermined by discriminatory anti-union practices. J. Solomon, the general-secretary of NUBE, stated that the Human Resources Minister had engaged in discussions with banks that resulted in the denial of the customary one-month Festival Aid for 2024 onwards to 15,000 members from the B40 and M40 income groups. Furthermore, Solomon alleged that the minister had infringed upon local laws and international labour standards concerning NUBE's legitimate bargaining rights. This was purportedly done by referring the 20th Collective Agreement to the Industrial Court despite the employers not having convened a negotiation meeting. He also claimed that complaints regarding workplace harassment had been ignored by the minister. 'Such discriminatory interference demonstrates a concerning lack of regard for worker protection and a failure to uphold the responsibilities of trade unions in defending their members,' Solomon asserted at the rally. The demonstration also intended to convey a strong message to the Unity government that these actions contravene Malaysian labour laws and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions regarding freedom of association and collective bargaining. Solomon emphasised that these were not simply administrative errors but rather 'systemic attacks on workers' dignity and union freedom.' NUBE urged the Unity government to uphold ILO Convention 98, which Malaysia has ratified, enforce the Industrial Relations Act 1967 without bias, and adhere to the 12th Malaysia Plan's commitment to strengthening trade unions. During the rally, NUBE also called for the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the actions of the Minister, the Ministry, and 17 bank CEOs for alleged violations of domestic laws and international labor standards. 'This May Day rally is a peaceful and lawful expression of workers' demands and a united stance against injustice,' Solomon added. 'NUBE calls on all workers and the public to support this movement and stand in solidarity for dignity, justice, and trade union freedom in Malaysia.'
