MTUC claims it was excluded from ILC Conference, former sec-gen clarifies

THE Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) claimed that the official workers’ representative was excluded in the official Malaysian delegation to the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

In a statement, the chairman of the Joint Special Committee, J. Solomon said Malaysia has been a member of the ILO since the year of 1957 and each year, a tripartite delegation representing the government, employers (usually through MEF), and workers (through MTUC) attend the ILC.

"It is the largest gathering of governments, workers and employers. This year, for the first time ever, the MTUC was not included," he said.

Solomon claimed 40 government officials and eight employer representatives were registered, but not a single representative from MTUC.

"MTUC has since filed a formal complaint with the ILO Credentials Committee over this serious breach.

Former Sec-Gen: No official leadership in MTUC now 

Meanwhile, former MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said the reason there was no representative was because there was still no official leadership in the MTUC.

This, after the president, Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani was dismissed.

Kamarul said he was surprised why certain quarters was being dragged into the issue.

"MTUC is now under a stay of execution order by the court, which only allows the body to conduct normal administraive affairs.

"The absence of MTUC at the ILC has nothing to do with the government or anyone else concerned," he added.

He said he was informed that Cuepacs was the representative for workers from Malaysia at the ILC and the absence of MTUC should not be made an issue. - June 3, 2025