KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today passed the amendment to the Trade Union Bill to abolish restrictions on the formation of trade unions based on specific establishment or similarity in trade, occupation or industry and also allow for diversity with multiple trade unions in any establishment, trade, occupation or industry.
Deputy Human Resource minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud when winding up the debate for his ministry, said that through the amendment, the rights of the employees has been returned since it provides freedom of association where employees and employers are free to establish or join any union of their own choice.
Mustapha said the principle was in line with the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Convention 87 which provides freedom for employees to form one or more unions without any restriction.
"Look at where our country stands in the context of workers union, compared with other countries like Iceland which has 91.4 per cent involvement, Denmark (67 per cent), Sweden (65 per cent), Japan (16.8 per cent), South Korea (12.4 per cent), Indonesia (13 per cent), Cambodia (9.6 per cent) and Malaysia only six per cent," he said before the bill was passed unanimously.
Meanwhile, Dewan Negara also passed amendments to the National Water Services Commission Act (Span) or Act 465 that is aimed at enhancing the management of water services in the country and lifting the integrity of Span.
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, when winding up the debate for his ministry, said that through the amendment, the term of service for commission members of Span would be shortened from 10 years to six years to align with other commissions.
This includes the Securities Commission Malaysia, Malaysia Competition Commission, Energy Commission Malaysia and Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom).
"We feel there is enough expertise among Malaysians to be involved in the water industry because the industry is a dynamic industry that has undergone rapid changes," he said.
The Dewan Negara sitting continues tomorrow. — Bernama