THE Dewan Rakyat passed amendments to the Trade Union Act to allow multiple unions to be set up by workers.
“The main purpose of the amendments is to abolish the restriction with regard to the setting up of trade unions, including the restriction of allowing only one union to be set up in any industry, occupation or trade,” Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar (pic) said when wrapping up his ministerial replies on the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He said the amendments will also allow a worker to join multiple unions, unless specifically prohibited from doing so.
“A union is permitted to restrict a member from joining another union. This restriction must be spelt out in the union’s constitution.
“However, if there is no such restriction, the worker can join and hold office in any union,” Sivakumar added.
The amendment removes Section 15(2) of the Trade Unions Act to allow multiplicity of trade unions in any industry, occupation or trade.
With the restriction lifted, Sivakumar said the number of trade unions in the country is expected to increase to 800.
He said this includes an increase union membership to between 50,000 and 100,000 members.
As of June this year, he said there were 163 unions in the government sector with 531,436 members while there were 496 union in the private sector with 304,948 members.
Meanwhile, amendments to Section 25A(1) lowers the threshold for trade unions to carry out a strike or declare a lockout.
The union can call for a strike or declare a lockout if 60% members vote to do so.
Also lowered is the age of a union membership to 15 from the previous 16, following amendments to Section 26(1) in line with the Children and Young Persons (Employment) Act.
Sivakumar hoped that more workers, particularly those from the private sector, will become union members in light of greater freedom given to set up unions. The Bill was later passed through a voice vote in the Dewan Rakyat.
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