Latest news with #JointSpecialCommittee
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
MTUC S'wak calls for swift resolution to union leadership stalemate
MTUC Sarawak has urged the Joint Special Committee (JBK) overseeing MTUC operations to prioritise resolving the leadership impasse and refrain making statements that may confuse workers and stakeholders. KUCHING (June 5): The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Sarawak has urged the Joint Special Committee (JBK) overseeing MTUC operations to prioritise resolving the leadership impasse and refrain making statements that may confuse workers and stakeholders. In a statement, MTUC Sarawak stressed that the committee ― established under a court order has been given a specific mandate to conduct the MTUC Special Delegates Conference within three months. 'Unfortunately, the election that was initially scheduled for May has been postponed to August,' it said. MTUC Sarawak lamented that the delay resulted in MTUC missing the opportunity to send a representative to the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland ― a global tripartite platform that brings together governments, employers and workers. 'This is the first time in history that MTUC gas failed to send an official workers' representative due to a leadership crisis, which has left the union without formal representation,' it added. The congress urged all parties within MTUC to focus solely on holding the long-overdue election. 'MTUC must returned to being a credible and respected organisation that champions workers' rights. Priority must be given to transparency, fairness, and an immediate resolution to ensure that MTUC can once again operate effectively,' read the statement. Despite the absence of a workers' representative at the ILC, MTUC Sarawak noted that Malaysia remains committed to protecting workers' rights through ongoing legislative and policy reforms. These include amendments to the Sarawak Labour and Sabah Labour Ordinances ― extending protections to all workers regardless of income level or job type ― as well as a 13 per cent increase in the minimum wage and the extension of social security coverage to foreign workers. 'It is therefore crucial that the MTUC's leadership resolve its internal issues promptly so that the voice of Malaysian workers can regain its rightful place on the international stage,' it said. The congress also reiterated that the upcoming election must be conducted fairly, transparently, and within the court-mandated timeframe. 'A strong and united labour movement not only benefits local workers but also enhances Malaysia's competitiveness in the global labour market,' it added. The post MTUC S'wak calls for swift resolution to union leadership stalemate appeared first on Borneo Post Online.
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
SBEU calls out committee overseeing MTUC for 'overstepping mandate' on congress exclusion from ILC
Andrew Lo KUCHING (June 4): The Sarawak Bank Employees Union (SBEU) has criticised the Joint Special Committee (JBK) overseeing the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) for allegedly overstepping its mandate by protesting the government's decision to exclude MTUC from the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland. SBEU chief executive officer Andrew Lo said the union had been made aware that the JBK had misused its platform to issue a protest statement. 'We are very concerned at such a statement as this is not within the mandate of the Joint Special Committee to nominate any officials to be a delegate. 'In absence of such a nomination, the government is unable to grant credentials from MTUC,' he said in a statement. Lo, who is also Labour Law Reform Coalition (LLRC) deputy president, pointed out that the JBK was only empowered to conduct a Special Delegate Conference to elect new MTUC office bearers, and to administer MTUC affairs temporarily. 'On 21 Feb 2025, pursuant to a High Court Order (with the consent of the disputing parties), a Joint Special Committee shall be formed for the Malaysian Trades Union Congress with very specific role to conduct a Special Delegate Conference to elect new office bearers. 'Such Special Delegate Conference shall be carried out within 90 days from February 21, 2025, to i.e. May 22, 2025. 'It is unfortunate that the Joint Special Committee was unable to conduct the Special Delegate Conference within the stipulated time. As a result, as to date, there is no new officer bearers to carry out the functions of MTUC.' He stressed that by the consent order, the JBK's only role was to hold the Special Delegate Conference and to perform administration of MTUC until May 22 this year. 'It does not give the Joint Special Committee the mandate to nominate anyone to be a delegate of, or to represent MTUC, at any conference or organisation. 'Such actions may be seen as contempt of Court and MTUC may be sanctioned by the court,' he said. Lo stressed that it is imperative that MTUC gets its internal issues in order. 'This is so that we can play our proper role to represent the interest of workers in Malaysia. 'These should be the priority instead of harping about attending a foreign conference,' he said. On June 3, MTUC JBK chairman J Solomon in a statement had expressed shock over the failure of the Ministry of Human Resources to include MTUC, which is the official workers' representative in the official Malaysian delegation, in the ILC for the first time ever. 'The ministry has registered 40 government officials and eight employer representatives, but not a single representative from MTUC. 'This is a clear violation of the ILO Constitution, which requires full tripartite representation,' he said. He described the exclusion as an 'extreme embarrassment to Malaysia and the ministry officials especially when it is currently the chairman of the Asean.' 'It is an action that equates to backward countries like of Myanmar,' he said. He said MTUC has since filed a formal complaint with the ILO Credentials Committee over this serious breach.
