Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) is shocked
with the action of the Malaysian police who arrested 11 workers from the
National Union of Tobacco Industry Workers (NUTIW) at a picket near the factory
along Jalan University, Petaling Jaya, Selangor at about 1.50pm
yesterday(23/4/2015). The right to picket is a workers’ right provided for in
Malaysian law, in section 40 of the Industrial Relations Act 1967.
The action of the police of arresting the 11
workers is wrong, and the act of further detaining them overnight at the
Seapark Police Station is unjust. Even the presence of the 11 workers was
needed for further investigation, the police could have released these workers
on police bail and these workers would have presented themselves at the police
station as and when required. Keeping them overnight in police lock-ups, away
from the home and family was unnecessary.
The interference in a legitimate industrial action
between union and the employer is wrong. It is hoped that the employer will not
now further aggravate matters by taking disciplinary actions against these
workers – they were exercising a legitimate worker right in Malaysia.
MTUC demands the immediate and unconditional
release of these workers. Police should also apologize for their unwarranted actions
in what was a matter between employer and workers.
MTUC also calls on the government and the police to
refrain in the future from interfering in the exercise of worker rights to
picket.
N. Gopal Kishnam
Secretary General
Secretary General
Tel: + 6
019 317 4717
Email:- gopalkishnam@gmail.com
Email:- gopalkishnam@gmail.com

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