THE Electronic Industry Employees Union Northern Region (EIEUNR) has alleged that electronic component manufacturer Molex (M) Sdn Bhd is engaging in union busting activity.
In a letter addressed to its board of directors sighted by FocusM, its general secretary Divid Arulappen claimed there were attempts made to derail a secret ballot process to establish a union.
The ballot is to take place on Feb 22 from 10am to 10pm at the company located in the Perai Industrial Estate, Penang.
“Molex Human Resources director Mohamed Faisal Khairudin, its operations manager known as Albert and the management have held several closed-door meetings with their employees regarding the secret ballot,” alleged Divid.
“The workers were told that if they don’t support the union, they need not go out to vote. This is unethical and stupid to have the meeting as it is clear cut union busting [sic].”
He added that if the workers do not go out to vote, the ballots will be obtained by the employer in accordance to the Industrial Relation Act 1967 with regard to the establishment of the union.
This, according to Divid, is a subtle way of instilling fear among workers whereby if they go out to vote, the employer would know that they support the union.
“The union considers, Molex (M) Sdn Bhd as an international company that is transparent and take care of the welfare of employees and there should be freedom of association in the factory, but this is not practiced by Molex,” lamented Divid.
“The best way is to make sure all workers who work that day go out to vote and without oppression and suppression, and those on off-day/rest-day should be given some incentive to come to the factory in order to be able to vote without fear of the employer.
“Hence, a circular letter from you (company CEO and its board of directors) and Molex is necessary to ensure that all employees can go out to vote from the company’s guarantee,” Divid urged.
Unacceptable conduct
With that, Divid claimed that he was in possession of an audio recording of Faisal having a meeting with several workers while making certain remarks which can be deemed as an attempt to derail the ballot process.
“We hope that the top management will look into this misconduct seriously and take necessary action. Please ensure that the voting process can be carried out fairly,” he remarked.
On related matter, Social Protection Association Contributors Advisory Association in Malaysia (SPCAAM) president J. Solomon confirmed with FocusM that he had received a copy of the letter.
“It seems the workers are attempting to form a union of their own using a secret ballot but several management people made certain drastic comment,” he pointed out. “This looks like case of interfering with unions. It is unacceptable.” – Feb 15, 2022.
