CLOSE THE UNION OR I CLOSE THE
FACTORY!
GUPPY UNION FACE THEIR BIGGEST ONSLAUGHTER……
Putrajaya, January 30th
2003
This morning, a few brave Guppy
Union members braved the storm, which was brewing in their factory, to make an
emergency appeal to the Minister to intervene and resolve their problem. There
were around a dozen workers from Guppy Union. The remaining union members have
decided to stay back as their employer has warned them not to join the union
and stop paying the union dues. He said that if the workers continued with the
union, he would have no choice except to close down the factory.
In the last two days, Guppy
shareholder and General manager Eng Kiat Guan confronted Union Chairperson
Comrade Koyilvani, " to close down the Union or face hardship".
Koyilvani who has been sacked by Guppy in 1998 continued to be reelected as the
chairperson in the last four years by the 200 union members. In spite of being
shut out of the company gates, Koyilvani's mere presence seems to send shock
waves to heart of the capitalis, Guppy Industries Management.
The Manager lost his cool and
started shouting at every worker the Union leader seems to talk to. Kovilvani
has lodged two police report on behalf of the union on both this incidents.
This morning, the union members,
after some initial problems, managed to hand over a memorandum to the Chief
Secretary of the Human Resource Ministry Datuk Syed Mohamad Abdul Kadir. A
number of policemen and Special Branch officers were seen at the scene feeling
very excited.
At the dialogue session, Koyilvani
along with other comrades raised several issues and pushed for the Minister to
intervene. Matters became more tense when Union IRO officer, Comrade V.Selvam
shouted and accused the Ministry for being inefficient and complacent in their
work.
The Workers then listed their
grievances.
·
The entire Union Leadership in two
states has been wiped out by the Employer and the Ministry cannot seem to do
anything
·
The judgment of the dismissal case
involving Union Leader Koyilvani, Secretary Roshamiza and Treasurer Kaniamah
which was to be ready one month from the date of the hearing and submission is
delayed now for 22 months. Numerous letters to the relevant authorities has not
got any respond.
·
The dismissal case of the Deputy
Chairperson Rahimah and Asst. Secretary Visaletchumy and other Union leaders in
the Prai division has yet to be referred to the Industrial court
·
Other cases involving Union members
have yet to be resolved
·
The Union has seeked recognition in
two attempts but there is no reply
The list goes on and on. Koyilvani
at one point told the Chief Secretary that she is fed-up because the Ministry
is so hopeless and powerless. The Union is being busted right in front their
eyes and even after having a registration, the union just cannot move.
The Chief Secretary assured them
that he will follow-up. After firing their rage at him, the next target was the
Industrial Relations Department where the workers went to lodge a violation
under Section 8 of the IRA act on the issue of Employer trying to intervene and
close down the Union. Here another commotion erupted when the IRA officer
requested Union representative to show authorization letter. V.Selvam exploded
and challenged the IRD officer to show where it is stated that he must show an
authorization letter. Here once again the Industrial Relations Officer came
under heavy fire for not showing urgency in solving the issue.
In what seems to be tough day, the
union members walked down the office carrying a banner saying that the Minister
must intervene. There was no press to capture this occasion. They came down
having fulfilled their task. Even the great monuments and scenic view of
Putrajaya failed to soothe the workers disappointment and anger today.
Among one line of argument of the
employer is, " I give you'll wages but why do you give RM 3 to the union
every month". Why is the Employer so hard on he Union.
The Factory Owners have sacked the
Union leaders, didn't recognize the Union and now are threatening to shut down
the factory if the Union exist. The very action of the owners clearly
demonstrates that they are really terrified with the existence of a Union.
The Union will see tougher days in
the next few weeks but they have already won the battle of the hearts. Their
employer will never sleep peacefully again knowing the Union is still alive and
kicking.
S. Arutchelvan
