The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) wants former human resources minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam to face the Parliamentary Labour Caucus over a report he made to the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
MTUC president Khalid Atan (pic) questioned how Dr Subramaniam could have made such a report two years prior to a High Court decision on November 7 this year against the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE).
According to Khalid, Dr Subramaniam told the ILO's Committee of Experts on Freedom of Association that the High Court had decided that the Director General of Trades Unions' decision to register a Maybank staff union was valid and within the powers of DGTU in 2011.
NUBE had challenged the registration of the Maybank In-House Union in the High Court.
Calling the action anti-union and shocking, Khalid said the High Court decision would have far-reaching consequences on the trade union movement in the country.
"This will weaken the collective bargaining powers of trade unions in protecting the workers' interest," he said.
NUBE general secretary J. Solomon, meanwhile, also questioned Dr Subramaniam's action, saying it had brought the matter to the ILO's attention.
"How is it possible otherwise for the minister to be aware of a court decision made only two years later?" he asked during a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
“The ILO will be writing to the government seeking an explanation," he said, adding that NUBE is appealing against the decision of the High Court.
Solomon also claimed the government’s decision to allow the registration of Maybank's in-house union was mala fide, or in bad faith.
"It was approved within only six days of application, whereas many other unions from other sectors have been waiting years for approval," he added.
NUBE has over 3,000 Maybank employees as members, he said.
"From 2010 up to now, there has been interference from Maybank's management, forcing its employees to join the in-house union.
"We see a pattern of influence from the management and the Human Resources Ministry to deliberately ensure members of NUBE resign and join the in-house union," said Solomon.
Solomon claimed the ministry violated the Industrial Relations Act 1967 and the Trade Unions Act by interfering in union affairs and not permitting NUBE members to meet the bank employees.
"This weakens the role of the union in bargaining for their (employees) interests," he said.
Several opposition lawmakers who were present, including Kuala Langat MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid and Batu MP Tian Chua, said they would raise the matter in Parliament.
Dr Subramaniam’s alleged report dated 22 June and 5 October 2011 to the ILO reads: “According to the Government, the decision of the DGTU to register MAYNEU was challenged in the High Court, and the High Court has decided that the registration is valid and within the power of the DGTU.” – November 13, 2013.
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