Kota Kinabalu: The Government recognises the role of trade unions in protecting and safeguarding the rights and welfare of workers in the country.
Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) Chief Secretary Datuk Azman Yusof said trade unions serve as the representative voice of workers in advocating for their rights.
“The Government has always acknowledged the contributions and efforts of trade unions which act as the frontline for the workforce, working alongside the Government to ensure the harmony and wellbeing of industrial relations in Malaysia are well maintained,” he said during the opening of the 2024 Borneo Trade Union Movement Symposium, here, Thursday.
“The Government also recognises trade unions in Malaysia as a social partner in ensuring workers’ welfare and rights are preserved and protected.
“This is evident through the provision of financial grants to trade unions.
“For the Borneo region alone, over RM550,000 has been distributed to 59 trade unions through grants under the 2024 Trade Union Affairs Programme (PHEKS).
“For next year, Kesuma is requesting a larger allocation for trade unions across Malaysia, which reflects the Government’s mandate to support the role and function of trade unions in representing the voice of the workforce.”
He also encouraged existing trade unions to actively engage with workers on the ground to explain the importance of their rights when joining a union.
“All trade unions should adopt the ‘Stronger Together’ approach to protect the interests of union members.
“Every member within the union needs to move towards the same goals and strengthen their commitment to the union’s objectives.
“When compared to Malaysia’s labour force, which stood at around 17.2 million people as of July 2024, the number of workers who are union members remains relatively low, at only about 10 per cent.
“Therefore, we must work together and conduct campaigns to explain how unions can play a role in representing non-unionised workers and encourage them to join so their welfare is looked after and their voices heard.
“I urge all to continue strengthening our respective unions by diversifying promotional efforts to raise awareness of the crucial role that trade unions play and to attract more workers to join,” he said.
Also present were Trade Unions Director-General Mohd Asri Abdul Wahab, Permanent Secretary of the Sabah Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry, Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Mohd Kassim, Trade Union Affairs Department (JHEKS) Director-General Mohd Asri Abdul Wahab and Malaysian Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) President Datuk Dr Adnan Mat.
