Judge: More employees know their rights

Valuable guide: Umi Kalthum signing the plaque to launch the book by Balasubramaniam (in grey) at the Opening of the 13th MECA Industrial Relations Convention in Kuala Lumpur . Also present are (from left) director of Meca Dharmen Sivalingam, managing director of Meca Anna Balasubramaniam and Malaysian Current Law Journal managing director Rostina Gaus.

KUALA LUMPUR: An average 128 new cases a month have been brought to the Industrial Court in the first three months of this year alone, an increase from an average 112 new cases last year.

This, said Courts of Appeal judge Datuk Umi Kalthum Abdul Majid, could be attributed to an increase in knowledge of employees’ rights and the rising number of people entering the workforce each year.

Speaking to the media after her keynote address at the opening of the 13th MECA Industrial Relations Convention here yesterday, Umi Kalthum said the increase was a positive sign.

“It means they (employees) know their rights. That is important,” she said, adding that the country should worry if the case was the opposite – the numbers of new cases decreasing.

“Malaysia’s population has grown. We have more people and we have a vibrant economy ... lots of enterprises and economies are coming up, which needs lots of employees.

“And with more people employed, there will be more problems (between employees and employers). It’s a natural progression,” she added.

According to data, she said, 384 new cases were brought to the Industrial Court for the first three months of this year.

Of the number, she said 336 were over unfair dismissals, with a total of RM5.473mil being awarded in back wages, compensation and other awards.

Umi Kalthum added that the main reason many employees were reluctant to seek justice if they felt wronged was due to financial constraints.

“Some people were cowed just by the enormity (of the process). And, money is an issue,” she said, adding that being a member of a union would help as usually it would take up an employee’s case.

Umi Kalthum said employees could also lodge a complaint with the Human Resources Ministry.

“This is why we have the ministry. It is for the people,” she added.

Umi Kalthum was the president of the Industrial Court of Malaysia from 2006 to 2009.

The convention also saw the launch of the book A Practical Guide To the Industrial Relations Act 1967 by MECA Employers Consulting Agency founder and chairman T. Balasubramaniam.

The book retails at RM100 and is sold at major bookshops in the country.