KUALA LUMPUR | The Human Resources Ministry today tabled eight amendments to the Industrial Relations Act 1967 for first reading at the Dewan Rakyat.

“The amendments are part of the holistic review and in conformity to international standards in bringing transformation to the industrial relations landscape in the country,” the ministry said in a statement.

The amendments, it said, were discussed at length with various stakeholders, and are in line with the Pakatan Harapan government’s promise to enhance and improve workers’ protection and to ensure workers’ rights are at par with international standards.

Representations on Unfair Dismissals

A significant amendment proposed is for the repeal of the human resources minister’s power to refer representations on dismissal cases to the Industrial Court. This power will instead be given to the Director-General for Industrial Relations in order to expedite the process.

Another change proposed is for cases that are not resolved through conciliation at the Department of Industrial Relations to be referred to the Industrial Court without further filtering.

Also, the employer or workman may be represented by any person of their choice, except lawyers, during the conciliation process at the Department of Industrial Relations.

Workman being under mental disability and not having a guardian may be represented by the next of kin at conciliation proceedings, subject to the approval of the High Court.

The proposed amendment will also enable the Industrial Court to make an award by not confining to the restrictions in the Second Schedule in the event the dismissal is due to union-busting.

It will also enable the minister to make an order to allow dismissed workman of any statutory authority to file a claim for unfair dismissal at the Department of Industrial Relations.

Appeal against Industrial Court Award to High Court

Another amendment proposed is to allow any person dissatisfied with an award of the Industrial Court to appeal to the High Court within 14 days from the date of the receipt of the award.

Enhancing the Recognition Process

The human resources minister’s power to decide on matters relating to capacity and recognition issues involving trade unions is repealed under the amendments, and replaced by the Director-General for Industrial Relations in order to expedite the process.

“Currently, the recognition process involves two departments namely the Department of Industrial Relations and the Department of Trade Unions Affairs. With the proposed amendment, the recognition process will be under the purview of the Department of Industrial Relations only. This would expedite the process of recognition claim,” the ministry said.

Sole Bargaining Rights

Another change is that, in line with the spirit of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, 1948, the establishment of trade unions will no longer be confined to trade, industry or occupation.

“This would allow multiplicity of trade unions in an organization. Due to this, the provision on the application for sole bargaining rights is introduced to enable the workmen to choose the preferred trade unions in the event there are more than one recognized trade union representing the workmen.

“This will ensure only one trade union, which has obtained the highest number of votes, to have sole bargaining rights to represent workmen in collective bargaining,” the ministry said.

Allowing Trade Union of Workmen to Raise Questions of General Character Relating to Management Prerogatives

The proposed amendment will allow trade union of workmen to raise questions of general character relating to transfers, employment, termination of services due to redundancy, dismissal and reinstatement and assignment or allocation of work. At present, the trade unions can only raise matters of general characters on promotion.

Introducing Exceptions Before Matters Relating to Collective Bargaining Referred to Industrial Court

It is also proposed that trade disputes relating to collective bargaining be only referred to Industrial Court with the consent of the parties.

The exception is that if the trade disputes relate to the first collective agreement or to any essential services specified in the First Schedule, or if the trade disputes would result in acute crisis if not resolved expeditiously, and if the parties to the trade disputes are not acting in the good faith to resolve the trade dispute expeditiously.

Imposition of Interest

A further amendment empowers the Industrial Court to impose interest at the rate of 8% per annum, or lesser rate as the court may direct.

Reducing the List of Essential Services

It is also proposed that the First Schedule of the Essential Services be replaced with the new schedule in line with international labour standards.

“Apart from these proposed amendments, the minister of human resources is also reviewing several other labour legislations including the Employment Act 1955 and Trade Unions Act 1959, which is expected to be tabled soon,” the ministry said.

For full report, please download here: Kenyataan Media – Cadangan Pindaan Akta 177

 

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