MALAYSIA: Workers force meeting with ministry

On January 17, more than 200 rank-and-file workers demonstrated at the Human Resource Ministry in Putrajaya, forcing the deputy minister to meet with a delegation of protesters. The protest was led by the Coalition of Factory Workers and Trade Unions (GPKK), which is aligned to the Labour Resource Centre (JERIT) — a grassroots NGO under the political influence of the Malaysian Socialist Party (PSM). The protest highlighted four main issues: the victimisation of union members, work shifts that force workers to be on their feet all day, compulsory overtime and the policy of cheap labour. The workers provided the ministry with a list of 33 factories violating workers' rights and the officials promised to follow up on the demands. Meanwhile, in a bold new move, on January 12 the PSM publicly released membership application forms for people interested in joining the party, responding to heavy criticism that the PSM does not open itself to the public due to its legal status. The small socialist group has for years sought to obtain legal registration but has been rejected. The PSM appealed the decision and the case is still pending in court.

From Green Left Weekly, January 25, 2006.

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From GLW issue 653