KUALA LUMPUR | The Dewan Rakyat has passed Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2023 with a majority voice vote.
The primary objective of this amendment Bill is to eliminate restrictions on the formation of trade unions based on specific establishments or similarities in trade, occupation, or industry. Additionally, it aims to allow for the existence of multiple trade unions.
Minister of Human Resources V Sivakumar emphasised that the amendment aligns with the principle of freedom of association, granting both workers and employers the freedom to establish or join any trade union of their choosing.
However, in an effort to maintain harmony within a company, a union may impose limits on its membership. This means that a worker who is a member of one union may not simultaneously be a member of another trade union, Sivakumar said.
“It is the government’s aspiration that through the amendment of Act 262, it will foster the development of more mature, progressive, healthy and competitive trade unions, ultimately leading to increased benefits for employees,” he stated during his winding up speech in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
Sivakumar is confident that these amendments will result in a surge in trade union membership, with projections indicating an increase of 50,000 to 100,000 members. Additionally, the number of unions is expected to rise from 756 to 800.
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