PETALING JAYA: The Department of Industrial Relations Malaysia (DIRM) has reinstated 27 employees of Hicom Automotive Manufacturers Malaysia Sdn Bhd who were dismissed by the company.
DIRM said five other employees of the 32 who were dismissed on Feb 5, 2016, opted not to be reinstated.
It said this decision was taken after the department acknowledged the complaint of National Union of Transport Equipment and Allied Industrial Workers (NUTEAIW) at a press conference held on Oct 29.
After several legal attempts, on Aug 18, 2023, NUTEAIW filed a complaint under Section 59 of Act 177, asserting the employer violated the subsection 59(1) of Act 177 by dismissing five employees amid union negotiations to finalise the 4th collective agreement.
"The ministry through DIRM summoned the general secretary of the union who was the complainant on Sept 19, 2023. However, the complainant was unable to recall all the facts and therefore was asked to submit the relevant documents to support the complaint," said DIRM in a statement on Monday (Nov 18).
DIRM said further information of the issue was obtained on Oct 23 this year following a reminder issued to NUTEAIW.
The department emphasised that the union's complaint has been addressed appropriately as the delays in receiving the necessary information from the complainant hindered the investigation process.
"The complaint lodged by NUTEAIW was managed professionally by DIRM in accordance with the provision of Act 177," the department added.
