STATEMENT

TRIENEKENS RESPONSE PATHETIC 

Call FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTIONS 

MTUC is not surprised at the pathetic claim that by Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd that the dismissal is with just cause just because it has complied with the due inquiry and accorded the sacked employees the right to be heard. 

The right to be heard is of no value if the company did not listen to reason and when the company is judge, jury and prosecutor. 

If the dismissal is not due to their trade union activities, then why only the Secretary and the President of the Union were dismissed when more than 100 other employees also did not attend the family day? 

Why did the dismissal letter reads as follows? 

¨       “On 24 April  2008 you have been involved in writing a circular/written and/or signed a circular  dated the same instigating and/or urging workers to boycott Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd Family Day on 27 April 2008.

¨       In the circular, among others stated that “Sehubungan dengan itu pihak majlis jawatankuasa kerja (MJK) Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Trienekens menyeru semua ahli memulaukan majlis tersebut dengan tidak menghadir diri pada hari tersebut’.”

¨       Between 24 – 27 April 2008 you have been involved in circulating a circular dated 24 April 20008 instigating and/or urging workers to boycott Trienekens ( Sarawak) Sdn Bhd Family Day on 27 August 2008 

¨       The wanton action of the company is clearly an attempt to destroy the Union and is a clear violation of Section 59 of the Industrial Relations Act 1967 which makes it an offence for an employer to dismiss a workman or to cause him some employment-related detriment for various matters, inter alia arising out of his membership or leadership of a union.  

MTUC cannot see how writing or involved in writing a union letter ON A NON WORKED RELATED EVENT- FAMILY DAY can be an employee’s misconduct justifying dismissal.  

It is clear therefore that the company is engaged in trade union busting activities. It is sad that in this modern day and age, we still have employers in Sarawak believe that they are masters and workers are slaves. 

EMPLOYEES FORCED TO ATTEND FUNCTIONS ON REST DAYS 

What law has the company complied with when it make it compulsory for employees to attend a family day on a Sunday????? German law??? 

PROSECUTE THE COMPANY AND ITS DIRECTORS 

MTUC call on the authorities and the Government to take appropriate actions against the company, failing which MTUC will take whatever actions necessary to protect the fundamental right of workers and.  We do not rule out public protect and industrial actions.  

MAY TAKE INDUSTRIAL ACTIONS, 

We call on the local councils- DBKU, MBKS and MPPK to direct the company to reinstate the workers failing which it must review the contract given to the company> We may call on all tax and rates payers in the councils to boycott the company. 

The Company now wants the matter should be dealt under the Industrial Relations Act. This is hypocritical when its own action is in violation of the same law and in utter disrespect of Industrial Courts decisions which is handed under the very same act.

ANDREW LO
SECRETARY, MTUC 

23 September 2008

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