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LABOUR MOVEMENT
MTUC conference: Fresh hope for workers Winds of change promises better protection for neglected workers
by A J Patrick and A H Ponniah
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The other issue that aroused much interest was the new pact between Zainal and Dato Siva Subramaniam, ex-president of CUEPACS, to wrest total control of MTUC leadership as President and Secretary General for the ensuing three-year period. Participating delegates The future and destiny of the MTUC clearly rested on the 542 delegates representing 142 affiliated unions attending the conference. They held fast to their democratic right to ensure and determine that all matters decided at the conference were with their full concurrence and that they had a say on all matters that concerned them. Early attempts by the MTUC President, who was facing a serious challenge to his leadership, to bulldoze his views on NUBE participation were debated vehemently and rectified. In fact the dictatorial behaviour of the President in ignoring the constitutional requirements of the conference of MTUC earned the ire of the majority of the delegates who showed early signs of disenchantment with his leadership. The MTUC General Council�s report and financial matters were examined critically calling for accountability. Proposals and motions were passed to improve the performance of the Congress. Emergency resolutions moved by the delegates along with those received from the unions were examined and considered. The debates that took place were of high standard and thought-provoking. Action programmes were insisted upon to revitalise the MTUC. Senseless proposals including amendments were rejected. One such proposal called for an elected leader to hold on to his position in MTUC even if he changes his union membership. Issues highlighted Among the issues that drew the members� serious attention was the concern over the performance of the EPF and the dividends declared. Resolutions touching on the need to remove restrictive labour laws and those that stifle human rights were duly adopted. MTUC was urged to give serious attention to organising the unorganised to strengthen the labour movement. There was a call to increase MTUC activities and initiatives to intensify membership participation. Delegates wanted more labour education programmes and encouragement for increased women's participation in the trade union movement. Winds of change The finale of the conference witnessed a most tense and hard fought battle: the election of office-bearers especially that of the President. Two major teams mushroomed for this contest, one led by the President and the other by the Secretary General. Zainal Rampak, the incumbent President, and Datuk Siva Subramaniam attempted desperately to wrest the posts of President and Secretary General. Whereas G. Rajasekaran, the Secretary General, supported Syed Shahir for the post of President. Both campaigned for their respective teams vying for all the posts. Since 1996 Zainal had many times indicated his desire to retire but had also many times changed his mind. At the last MTUC elections in 2001, he solemnly signed a MOU with his deputy Shafie who had challenged him. He agreed to step down in 2002 and hand over office to Shafie. He breached that agreement on the flimsy grounds that many unions wanted him to stay on. In December 1984 Zainal, then Deputy President MTUC, challenged P.P Narayanan, who was the MTUC President. P.P reached a gentleman�s agreement with Zainal to step down in 1.1.1986 in favour of him in return for withdrawing his challenge. Come 1986, P.P honoured the pact. For a man who came to be President through a pact which was honoured by his predecessor, none expected Zainal to dishonour his own pact with his deputy. When he did that, he lost a lot of respect and support of friends and many workers. Zainal teamed-up with Datuk Siva, who depended on his title to exert influence on the delegates. Siva was not known to have struggled for workers especially those in the private sector. In fact he was noted to be a strong government supporter and relied on it for the delegates� support. Zainal, who was seen as a changed person following his about turn in politics and becoming a government man, also expected support from all parties. He relied on his old loyalties aligned to the opposition and at the same time he was expecting support from government sympathisers. Rajasekaran always stood out as a representative of the workers. Shahir also shared a similar background with Rajasekaran but had unsuccessefully attempted to enter parliament to address workers issues on an opposition ticket. New dawn for the workers and unions The current challenges confronting workers and their unions, forced the delegates to make a careful assessment before they made their choice. In the end, the delegates made up their minds. Shahir, Raja and all the members of their team won a resounding victory, sending cheers and thunderous applause in the hall. Zainal left the conference a defeated man while Siva stood around pondering as to what he could do to hold on to what he might have to lose if he left the hall. As soon as the election results were announced, the newly elected team was earnestly addressing problems of members, which received little attention just a day earlier. There was a wind of fresh hope for better protection for the neglected workers and unions. Delegates seemed joyous that their voice would now be heard. You must deliver In the post election press conference held immediately after the conference, the new team declared that the new leadership would address all workers� issues. One of the first amongst the issues to be dealt with will be the NUBE crisis. Their style and approach will not reflect any antagonism or belligerence in their dealings with any party but rest assured that the dignity of labour will not be compromised under any circumstances. Shahir in a very conciliatory gesture appealed to the winners and losers in the elections to close ranks in order to meet the challenges facing the workers and their unions. And we must add, the winning team has a right to be gratified with and energised by the landslide victory. They will be under immense scrutiny and much will be expected of them. They must perform and deliver all that has been promised and pledged in the next three years before the next MTUC conference. Their supporters expect and demand nothing less. It is understandable why the new team has to embark on this task immediately. Now e-mail us and tell us what you think. Your comments might be published in the Letters section of our print magazine, Aliran Monthly. | |||||||||||||||
They will be under immense scrutiny and much will be expected of them.
