Over 80 police reports have been lodged against a printed circuit board manufacturer in Penang over alleged union busting activities earlier this month.
The Electronics Industry Employees Union Northern Region (EIEUNR), which lodged the police reports, claimed that the management of the company, whose identity is being withheld, had intimidated employees to discourage them from taking part in a secret ballot.
The ballot, which was held between July 14 and July 15, was conducted to gauge union support among employees.
“A favourable outcome would have initiated collective bargaining,” EIEUNR said in a statement.
According to EIEUNR, the company’s employees claimed the management had created a “climate of fear” that discouraged participation.
It said the management allegedly prevented employees from leaving work to vote and issued verbal warnings.
“Leading up to the ballot, employees were threatened with a loss of benefits for union support, and managers conducted briefings discouraging support for the union,” it said.
The group also said conflicting memos were issued regarding public holidays on voting day, and that company transport delays resulted in employees being directed to production areas instead of voting booths.
As a result, the union said, voting participation among employees fell below the 50% threshold needed, with only 2,748 out of 6,345 eligible employees participating.
EIEUNR said participation would have been higher if the employer had not interfered.
It said such tactics contravened the Industrial Relations Act 1967, which prohibits employer interference in union formation and activities.
“An immediate complaint was lodged with the industrial relations department, but no concrete action was taken against the company’s anti-union tactics,” it added.
EIEUNR has urged the police to investigate the alleged harassment.
It also wants human resources minister Steven Sim to act against the company in accordance with the Industrial Relations Act and ILO Convention 98, emphasising the need for a new secret ballot free from intimidation and discrimination.
