1 June 2015 – ITF has welcomed news received over the weekend from its affiliate the Railwaymen’s Union of Malaya (RUM) that Abdul Razak, the union’s president, has been reinstated with immediate effect by KTMB (Malayan Railways Ltd).
KTMB dismissed 27 RUM leaders and activists and 110 were issued show cause notices over a period from May to September 2014, apparently for taking part in a picket on 9 May that year over safety concerns arising from the use of old locomotives.
The RUM has told the ITF that Elias Kadir, the KTMB president responsible for the dismissals, had been removed from his position by the government and that a new president had been appointed.
ITF general secretary Steve Cotton urged the Malaysian prime minister in October to ensure the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the men and insisted that the KTMB cease any victimisation of the union’s members.
Abdul Razak said: “We are very grateful for the ITF’s support and solidary during this difficult period for the union, which has helped win my and others’ reinstatement.
“I hope that the appointment of a new KTMB president heralds the start of positive labour relations at the company.”
ITF Asia/Pacific regional secretary Mahendra Sharma added that he very much hoped that the developments would lead to the establishment of meaningful social dialogue and the opening of negotiations to resolve the issues raised by the union, in the interests of all parties concerned and out of concern for public safety.
