TYPES OF UNION

PN NIK SARINA NIK MD SALLEH

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 Three categories of unions in Malaysia:

a. In-house Union – one where members are all employed

in the same place of employment (by the same employer).
Example : Telekom Berhad employees union. Tenaga Nasional
employees unions.

b. National Unions – one where members are from different

companies in the same industry or employees in the same
trade or occupation. Example : National Union Teachers
Profession (NUTP), National Union of Plantation workers

c. Employers’ unions – example - MEF

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 Consist of civil service, statutory bodies, & local
authorities.
 National Union of Teaching Profession, Malayan
Nurses Union etc.
 Same ministry, department, or occupation.
 Discussions are possible with employers on a
logical basis.
 Wages & terms of service are discussed at
national level between government & the
Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public
and Civil Service (CUEPACS).

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 Can either be national or in–house.
 National unions cover all workers in
same industry, trade, or occupation.
 Cover either Peninsular Malaysia,
Sabah, or Sarawak.

 In–house unions are one where

members are all employed by same
employer. Members can be involved
in different occupations.

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 Government believes that in–house
unions are more likely to be
appreciative of the situation in their
place of employment & problems of
their employer & less influenced by
outsiders.

 The co–operative spirit will lead to

higher levels of productivity.

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 Membership is limited & confined to workers in one
particular company.
 Leadership must be chosen from the small number of
members which may give rise to the possibility of
employer trying to exploit such leaders.
 Union’s financial strength will not enable it to carry out its
normal trade union activities.
 Fear of victimization among union leaders in relation to
promotions, termination of employment, transfers, &
assignment of duties (management prerogatives).
 Unions are unable to provide scholarships & other benefits
to members.

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 Employers’ unions are called Associations.
Objectives are to promote & protect the interests
of their members, to negotiate & deal with trade
unions of employees & to represent their
members in any trade disputes between an
individual member & the employees’ union.
 Rules for forming & joining a trade union are the
same for both unions of employees & of
employers.
 Must apply to DG of Trade Unions & members
must be from same trade, industry, & occupation.

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 A federation of trade unions of government workers.

 Serves as spokesman for the public service workers.

 Must register with Department of Trade Unions.

 Membership is opened to all registered trade unions in

public & civil service in West Malaysia.

 Administration of CUEPACS is carried out by a council

elected at a convention held once in 3 years.

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 MTUC is not a trade union. It is a society
registered with the Registrar of Societies.

 Members are individual trade unions which

choose to affiliate with it.

 It acts as spokesman for trade unions at both

national & international levels.

 It represents the employees’ viewpoint in the

NLAC (National Labor Advisory Council).

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 It also advises on any matters on which workers seek
assistance. It runs training programs to help union leaders
understand their roles & responsibilities.

 Objectives:
a. Providing an advisory service to members.
b. Presenting the labor viewpoint to government.
c. Presenting workers’ views on national issues.
d. Helping to organize workers who do not belong to a union.
e. Representing the Malaysian labor movement at forums
abroad.
f. Providing trade union education.
g. Carrying out research on matters of trade union interest.

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 An alternative to MTUC. Similar objectives as
MTUC. Believes in co–operation with Ministry of
Human Resources – to achieve more for workers.

 Relationship between MTUC and MLO has not

been good.

 In 1996, the two merged. MLO dissolved itself.

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 Employers’ equivalent to MTUC.
 Has representatives on a number of councils &
bodies such as NLAC.
 It is registered as a society.
 Objectives:
a. Secure organization of all employers.
b. Co–ordinate & present opinions of employers on
labor matters.
c. Promote, protect, & defend interests of
employers.
d. Inform & advise members on implementation of
labor laws.
e. Advise members on the settlement of trade
disputes.

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 Important function is to carry out research
needed by its members – especially for
collective bargaining purposes.

 Conducts training for its members by organizing

seminars & lectures on topics relating to labor
legislation & others.

 Provides industrial relations services to its

members by representing them at the Industrial
Court.

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